SOMALILAND

In 1960, Somaliland gained independence from Britain and was recognized by several countries. However, just five days later, it merged with the former Italian Somalia to form the Somali Republic.

The union was driven by the dream of creating a Greater Somalia, uniting all Somali-speaking regions under one nation. But the merger was far from smooth.

From the beginning, Somalilanders felt marginalized in the union. Political power, resources, and decision-making were concentrated in Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital.

Tensions culminated in the 1980s when the Somali National Movement (SNM), formed in Somaliland, fought against the brutal regime of Siad Barre in Somalia.

Siad Barre's government responded with extreme violence. The cities of Hargeisa and Burao in Somaliland were bombed, kiIIing tens of thousands and displacing many more.

Between 1987 and 1989, the Isaaq genocìde, also known as the Hargeisa Holocaust, claimed 50,000–100,000 lives (or 200,000 by local reports) under Siad Barre’s regime during the Somaliland War of Independence.

After Barre's fall in 1991, Somalia descended into chaos, with warlords and clans vying for power. He fled in a tank filled with reserves from the Somali central bank. This included gold and foreign currency, worth $27 million. Somaliland, however, chose a different path.

On May 18, 1991, Somaliland declared its independence from Somalia, citing the failed union and the atrocíties suffered under Barre’s regime.

Since then, Somaliland has built its own government, constitution, and institutions. It even has a democratically elected president & parliament. Unlike Somalia, which struggled with instability and civil war, Somaliland has maintained peace and stability for over three decades.

It has held multiple free and fair elections, a rarity in the region. Its presidents have stepped down voluntarily after their terms - another regional anomaly.

Unlike its neighbor Puntland, which is part of Somalia and has faced occasional unrest, Somaliland has maintained peace and stability for over three decades.

Somaliland’s location along the Gulf of Aden, near the Red Sea, makes it a key player in international shipping routes. Despite its lack of recognition, it plays a vital role in securing these waters.

Somaliland also has its own currency, the Somaliland shilling, and manages its own security through local forces.

Regardless of this, Somaliland is recognized by a few countries and not by the international community as a sovereign state Maybe because they think that recognizing Somaliland could encourage other separatist movements worldwide, potentially destabilizing global geopolitics.

The African Union (AU) fears that recognizing Somaliland could set a precedent for other secessionist regions in Africa, like Biafra in Nigeria or Ambazonia in Cameroon.

Somalia ???????? strongly opposes Somaliland’s independence, viewing it as a part of its territory. This opposition makes recognition politically tricky.

Global powers claim to prefer a stable, unified Somalia to combat issues like terrorism and piracy. Recognizing Somaliland could weaken Somalia further.

Somaliland, however, argues that it was a sovereign state before the union and that its withdrawal from the failed union is legal under international law. Over the years, it has lobbied for recognition, pointing its democratic credentials, stability, & role in regional peace.

Some countries have informal relations with Somaliland, and it has representative offices in nations like the UK and Ethiopia. While the lack of recognition limits Somaliland’s access to international funding and trade, it continues to develop and function effectively.

The debate over Somaliland’s status raises important questions: Should stability and self-determination matter more than political precedents? For now, Somaliland remains in limbo - a country that exists in practice but not in the eyes of international law.

Regardless of the challenges, Somalilanders are proud of their achievements and continue to push for global recognition.

Fact: After gaining independence, British Somaliland became Somaliland, the first to gain independence among the three colonies. Italian Somaliland became Somalia, and French Somaliland became Djibouti.

So, what’s your take? Should Somaliland be recognized as an independent nation? Or is the fear of setting a global precedent too great? Can Donald Trump’s presidency change anything? Let’s discuss.

Somaliland is invoking “state continuity”, similar to the Baltic Nations, restoring its sovereignty, not creating it or seceding... It seeks to reclaim its historical status before the 1960 union.