The Hizbia Digil Mirifle Somali (HDMS) party served as the principal opposition to the right, although its platform was generally in agreement with that of the SYL.

[3] In 1945, the Potsdam conference was held, where it was decided not to return Italian Somaliland to Italy,[4] and that the territory would be under British Military Administration (BMA).

In a memo to the UN the SYL stated:"We do not pretend we can stand on our own feet for the moment, but ask the United Nations Trusteeship council to decide questions relating to the formation, boundaries, and administration of a Somali Trust Territory known as Somalia, this territory to consist of all areas present predominantly populated by Somalis.

"[9]The Somali Youth League fiercely opposed the transfer of Somalia back to Italian control and accused Britain of bartering with the country in order to appease Italy.

"[11] The decision to put Somalia back under the control of its former colonial ruler was highly controversial as Somalis widely felt that the Trust Territory was being established for Italian interests.