I'm not talking about when the British came. I'm talking Somaliland republic that gained independence June 26, 1960. What started off as treaties with the various clans specifically the coastal tribes ended up as a state. The state formation started in the 50's and if you choose to create a state then obviously the greater good of the nation comes before clan and individual interests.the british came to a region that was not a country to begin with. it was a land settled by different clans that pretty much ruled themselves. so, you're telling me the british united them forcefully, created a government and then said i gave you guys independence? if so, the question stands, who speaks for who? does every clan has his own right for self-determination?@ 2 countries that united in the 60's? how were any of the somali protectorates under colonial rule a country before colonialism and during colonialism?
With independence came international recognition as a sovereign state so yes Somaliland and Somalia were two separate countries before unification.
the same goes for french-somaliland and italian-somaliland.
