Although the value of positive statements in favour of the Somali case may be questioned, there is little doubt that the concerted opposition which Somalis had encountered in the three years since independence was heavily damaging. Britain’s hand had been conveniently strengthened by her accurate assessment of Pan-African opinion, the indirect effect of which was further illustrated at the futile meeting between Kenyan and Somali representatives held at Rome in August 1963 under British auspices. At these talks, which Britain convened under some criticism at home for her management of the issue and, apparently, in the hope of lessening tension in the N.F.D. itself and between Kenya and the Republic, the leader of the British delegation explained that his government judged their decision not to grant secession to be in accordance with the concensus of African opinion expressed in Addis Ababa. Consequently, proposals by the Somali government that, pending a final solution, the disputed area should be placed either under joint Somali-Kenyan, or United Nations administration, received scant attention and the talks broke down.

I.M. Lewis, I. M. Lewis, A Modern History of the Som…, loc. 495