The video titled “Somaliland: The Country That Exists Without Recognition” explores the paradox of Somaliland—an unrecognized yet functional democracy that has operated independently from Somalia since 1991.
Narrated by Saran Zamanil for Analytica Today, the segment explains how Somaliland, despite having a government, military, elections, and borders, is not acknowledged as a sovereign state by the international community. Now, a new bill in the U.S. Congress could change that.
The core of the video revolves around the Republic of Somaliland Independence Act, introduced by U.S. Congressman Scott Perry, which proposes formal recognition of Somaliland as an independent nation. Perry argues that Somaliland has shown “governance, stability, and cooperation—everything Somalia has not.” The bill, though still in its early stages, represents a historic shift in how the U.S. might engage with the Horn of Africa. For Somaliland, it could be a breakthrough after over three decades of diplomatic limbo.
The backstory is crucial: Somaliland was a former British colony that merged with Italian Somaliland in 1960 to form Somalia. But in 1991, amid the collapse of Somalia’s central government and years of dictatorship, Somaliland restored its independence. Since then, it has maintained democratic elections, a stable military, a unique currency, and control over its borders, all without international recognition. Still, “not the African Union, not the UN, not even its biggest allies” have acknowledged its sovereignty. Somalia maintains that Somaliland is part of its territory, and most African nations fear recognition would trigger similar demands from other separatist regions.
The video emphasizes Somaliland’s strategic importance, particularly its location near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a key global shipping route. Congressman Pat Harrigan framed this in geopolitical terms, stating, “They refuse to bow to the Chinese Communist Party. That’s what a real partner looks like,” highlighting Somaliland’s alignment with Taiwan and willingness to offer U.S. military access to the port of Berbera. In a world increasingly shaped by great-power competition, Somaliland is positioning itself as a Western ally in a critical region.
For the people of Somaliland, however, this is more than geopolitics—it’s about dignity and identity. As one resident put it: “We’re a country. We just want the world to see us.” The video underscores that Somaliland didn’t wait for international validation to function; it has thrived through “30 years of democracy without international help.” Yet, the lack of recognition bars it from accessing international aid, loans, and trade frameworks—tools crucial for further development.
The proposed U.S. bill may strain Washington’s already fragile ties with the Somali federal government and sets a precedent that could ripple across the African continent. Recognizing Somaliland might embolden separatist movements in places like Biafra (Nigeria) or Ambazonia (Cameroon), challenging the African Union’s foundational principle of upholding colonial-era borders.
Ultimately, the video poses a deeper philosophical and political question: What truly makes a country a country? Is it borders, international recognition, or the will of the people? Somaliland’s case, the narrator concludes, is “a test of how the world defines sovereignty and who gets to belong.” Whether or not the U.S. bill becomes law, Somaliland’s fight for recognition has forced the world to reconsider its definitions of legitimacy and statehood.
