Recognizing Somaliland Would Be in The Arab League’s Interest

I respectfully urge the Governments of the Arab League 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, the United Arab Emirates, Kenya, 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 country 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 Arab Nations 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.

Although the Arab League has supported Somalia’s territorial integrity, there are strategic, historical, and economic reasons for its members to reconsider their approach. As of early 2026, this debate has intensified following Israel’s formal recognition of Somaliland on December 26, 2025—the first by a UN member state—which has forced Arab nations to re-evaluate their influence in the country.

Somaliland sits on one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints: the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and the Gulf of Aden. Due to the rise of Houthi activity in Yemen and Iranian influence in the Red Sea, a stable Somaliland offers a dependable partner for maritime surveillance and security. If the Arab League continues to isolate Somaliland, it risks pushing the territory further into the orbit of non-Arab actors like Israel and Ethiopia. Recognition would allow Arab nations to formalize security pacts and maintain their “sphere of influence” in the Red Sea.

Certain Arab nations, notably the United Arab Emirates (UAE), recognize Somaliland as a de facto state. Dubai Ports World, a company based in the United Arab Emirates, has invested more than $440 million in the Port of Berbera, transforming it into a significant coordination hub for the region.

Somaliland is a primary exporter of livestock to the Arabian Peninsula especially during the Hajj. Formal recognition would streamline trade, health standards, and financial transactions that are currently complicated by its “unrecognized” status. De jure recognition would unlock international financing and insurance for large-scale projects, benefiting Arab investors looking for stable markets in East Africa.

Somaliland’s case for recognition frequently relies on its distinct historical background, setting it apart from other secessionist movements. Somaliland briefly became independent for five days in 1960 before joining Italian Somalia in a union. Proponents argue this is a “dissolution of a failed union” rather than the creation of a new state. The African Union (AU) opposes changing borders, but Somaliland’s borders are those inherited from the British colonial era, which technically aligns with the AU’s principle of respecting colonial-era boundaries.

While Somalia has struggled with decades of conflict and the Al-Shabaab insurgency, Somaliland has remained remarkably stable. Somaliland has its own currency, passport, military, and a functioning democratic system with multiple peaceful transfers of power. Recognition would empower Somaliland to cooperate with the Arab League more effectively on counterterrorism preventing the spread of extremist groups from the southern Horn of Africa across the Red Sea.

In addition to moral imperatives and the reasons listed above, recognition of the Republic of Somaliland would align with Arab Nation’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 Arab Nation’s interests.

I urge the governments of the Arab League Nations to take a principled stance. The moment has arrived for the Arab Nations 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.