The Republic of Somaliland reasserted its independence on May 18, 1991, building on its sovereign status first achieved on June 26, 1960, when it gained independence from the United Kingdom. It is essential for the international community to understand that Somaliland is not a breakaway state from Somalia. Rather, it was an independent country that voluntarily entered into a union with the former Italian Somalia—a union that was never legally ratified and eventually failed.
Somaliland is not seeking recognition from Mogadishu or the failed state of Somalia. Administration Instead, its quest for international recognition is directed at the global community, including the African Union (AU), the United Nations, the United Kingdom (its former protectorate power), and key international stakeholders such as the United States.
From British Protectorate to Brief Independence
Somaliland was a British protectorate from 1884 to 1960. On June 26, 1960, it became an independent sovereign state known as the State of Repbulk Somaliland and was recognized by over 35 countries, including the United Kingdom. Five days later, on July 1, 1960, it voluntarily united with the former Italian Somalia to form the Somali Republic—a political union based on hopes of Pan-Somali unity.
This voluntary union serves as a critical legal distinction in Somaliland’s claim for recognition. Unlike secessionist movements, Somaliland’s case is based on the dissolution of a failed union between two already independent states.
The Collapse of the Union and the Return to Sovereignty
The union soon began to falter. In 1961, just a year after unification, Somaliland military officers staged a failed coup attempt in protest of constitutional and political marginalization. Over the following decades, particularly under the rule of Siad Barre, Somaliland experienced systematic neglect, economic exclusion, and political repression.
In 1981, the people of Somaliland launched a struggle for liberation, which intensified throughout the 1980s. This culminated in the Isaaq genocide, in which an estimated 200,000 Somalilanders were killed, and key cities such as Hargeisa were destroyed.
Following the collapse of the Somali state in 1991, Somaliland unilaterally withdrew from the union and reasserted its independence, restoring the sovereignty it briefly held in 1960.
Somaliland’s Current Status and Diplomatic Outreach
Today, Somaliland is a functioning democratic state, with peaceful transfers of power, regular elections, a working constitution, national security forces, and effective governance. It continues to operate independently of Mogadishu in all state functions, including defense, currency, foreign affairs, and border control.
Over the past decades, Somaliland has intensified diplomatic outreach. It has engaged with regional organizations such as the African Union, and with global partners like the United Kingdom, United States, Ethiopia, and others. Despite lacking formal recognition, many countries maintain informal diplomatic and developmental ties with Somaliland.
A Unique Case in Africa
Somaliland presents a unique legal, historical, and moral case for international recognition. Its union with Somalia was voluntary and unratified, its withdrawal was peaceful, and its claim to statehood is rooted in historical sovereignty, not in rebellion or secession.
The international community, especially the African Union, United Kingdom, and United States must acknowledge the legitimacy of Somaliland’s claim and engage in serious dialogue about formal recognition. Recognition of Somaliland would not only honor its people’s right to self-determination but also contribute to regional peace, stability, and democratic progress in the Horn of Africa.
Engineer Abdi Ali Barkhad is a Consultant Somali lander electrical engineer, political analyst, and writer known for his comprehensive commentary on the politics of the Horn of Africa and international relations. He has published numerous articles analyzing current policies in the region and is a staunch advocate for the cause of the Republic of Somaliland. He can be reached at : tra50526@gmail.com
