Recognizing Somaliland Would Be in Somalia’s Interest
I respectfully urge the Government of Somalia to formally recognize the Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state within its 1960 borders.
The Republic of Somaliland is in the Horn of Africa, along the southern coast of the Gulf of Aden. Its borders are Djibouti to the northwest, Ethiopia to the south and west, and Somalia to the east. Somaliland covers an area of about 176,120 square kilometers and has an estimated population of 6.2 million as of 2024. Its capital is Hargeisa. The country has a coastline of approximately 850 kilometers on the Red Sea.
Somaliland became a British Protectorate in 1884 and declared independence on June 26, 1960, gaining recognition from thirty-five countries. Soon after, it voluntarily united with Somalia to form the Somali Republic, though this union was never legally ratified. In a 1961 referendum, most Somalilanders opposed unification. The absence of a binding treaty and years of political and economic marginalization led to ongoing grievances in Somaliland.
During the 1980s, conditions grew unbearable under Siad Barre’s harsh regime, which was notorious for severe human rights abuses. Many civilians lost their lives, especially in Hargeisa, which was devastated to such an extent that it became known as “Africa’s Dresden.” Entire communities were eliminated, and a massive portion of the population was forced to seek refuge in neighboring Ethiopia. In May 1991, Somaliland reasserted its independence during the Burao Conference.
Since reclaiming its independence in 1991, Somaliland has made remarkable progress in establishing a functioning democracy characterized by peaceful transitions of power. The nation has developed its own independent judiciary, a bicameral parliament, and a stable executive branch capable of governance. Moreover, Somaliland has created a robust security apparatus that not only maintains territorial integrity but has also successfully kept extremist insurgencies, including Al-Shabaab, at bay. This commitment to stability and governance has earned Somaliland the status as a rare beacon of democratic values in a region marred by conflict.
Somaliland has established important partnerships with democratic states fostering relationships based on mutual benefit and cooperation. Currently The Republic of Somaliland has diplomatic relations with the State of Israel, after that country became the first United Nations member to recognize Somaliland on December 26, 2025. It has developed a strong relationship with Taiwan, based on shared values and principles. Somaliland also maintains strategic ties with Ethiopia, Kenya, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and the United States.
A milestone in Somaliland’s economic development is the $442 million investment from Dubai Port World in the Berbera Port and the Berbera Corridor project. This initiative significantly improved regional connectivity with Ethiopia, highlighting Somaliland’s potential as a crucial economic hub in East Africa.
Moreover, Somaliland plays an indispensable role in securing the Gulf of Aden, actively combating piracy and extremism while contributing to international maritime security. Given its importance, this region plays a significant role in global geopolitics, especially since any rise in threats could disrupt vital shipping lanes that link key international markets.
Somaliland meets the Montevideo Convention criteria for statehood, which encompass the presence of a permanent population, defined territory, governance structures, and the capacity to engage in foreign relations. Formal recognition by the Somalia would reaffirm the nation’s commitment to democratic values and human rights. Furthermore, this recognition would contribute to enhanced regional security in the Horn of Africa and the Gulf of Aden, acting as a counterbalance to destabilizing influences, including terrorism and external powers that seek to exploit the region’s vulnerabilities.
While the Federal Government of Somalia maintains that Somaliland is an integral part of its territory, proponents of recognition argue that acknowledging Somaliland’s 34-year de facto independence could unlock significant benefits for the entire region. Considering recent developments in early 2026 including the first formal recognition of Somaliland by The State of Israel a UN member state on December 26, 2025, the debate has reached a new level. The core arguments for why Somalia should recognize Somaliland include:
The most practical argument is that Somaliland has operated as a fully functional, independent state since 1991.While Somalia has struggled with security and indirect elections, Somaliland has held multiple direct “one-person, one-vote” elections and peaceful transfers of power, including the 2024 election of the opposition Waddani party. The Mogadishu-based government does not exercise administrative, judicial, or military control over Somaliland – In other words it never had any authority on the territory since 1991-. Recognition would align then legal status with the reality on the ground. Somaliland has built its own security forces that have kept Al-Shabaab out of its borders, creating a “buffer zone” of stability in a volatile region.
Advocates argue that Somaliland is not a typical “secessionist” case, but rather a “dissolution of a union.” Somaliland was briefly an independent state in June 1960 recognized by thirty-five countries before voluntarily joining a union with Italian Somalia. Recognition would mean returning to the 1960 borders. An earlier African Union mission referred to Somaliland’s situation as “unique” and stressed that recognizing Somaliland should not be interpreted as support for separatist movements elsewhere in Africa.
Formal recognition could transform the Horn of Africa into a more integrated economic hub. With recognition, the Port of Berbera could attract massive international investment without legal ambiguity. This would provide a secure, sovereign gateway for landlocked Ethiopia and lower shipping costs for the region. International oil and mineral companies are often hesitant to invest in Somaliland due to its unrecognized status. Recognition would provide the legal certainty needed for large-scale development. Recognition would allow Somaliland to enter formal treaties to police the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea more effectively, combating piracy and smuggling in a vital global shipping lane.
Rather than causing war, proponents argue that recognition could prevent it. The current “frozen conflict” creates a vacuum that external powers and extremist groups can exploit. A negotiated “divorce” would allow both Mogadishu and Hargeisa to focus on internal development of their countries rather than border disputes. Recognition would allow for official military and intelligence sharing between Somalia and Somaliland, creating a united front against Al-Shabaab.
In late 2025 and early 2026, Israel’s recognition of Somaliland marked a major diplomatic shift. While Somalia, the Arab League, and the OIC have condemned it as “political aggression,” it has forced the international community to address the issue, and there might be no return to the old order. Somaliland leaders have indicated interest in joining the Abraham Accords, positioning themselves as a strategic partner for Western-aligned interests in the Red Sea. The Federal Government of Somalia should acknowledge current realities rather than opposing these issues by claiming recognition would breach the UN Charter, undermine Somali unity, or encourage further state fragmentation without unambiguous evidence.
In addition to moral imperatives and the reasons listed above, recognition of the Republic of Somaliland would align with Somalia’s economic and strategic interests by fostering a partnership with a stable and democratic ally in a pivotal region. This collaboration could open pathways for trade, investment, and shared initiatives that benefit both nations.
Failing to recognize Somaliland perpetuates its diplomatic isolation, which poses a significant risk of creating a vacuum that extremist groups like Al-Shabaab and the Houthis may exploit. Given Somaliland’s vital location near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait—a critical global shipping lane—instability in this region could have dire consequences, endangering international trade, compromising global security, and adversely impacting Somalia’s interests.
I urge the government of the Somalia to take a principled stance. The moment has arrived for the Somalia to recognize the Republic of Somaliland and support its rightful place among the community of nations. Such Recognition would not only honor the sacrifices of the Somaliland people but also uphold the fundamental principles of democracy and self-determination that play a vital role in promoting global peace and security.
