“Somaliland Has A Strong Case For Recognition. 30 years after breaking from Somalia it meets the criteria for statehood. Even the African Union has said it’s a special case. And yet it remains wholly unrecognized, even by close partners. Why?”
James Ker-Lindsay, a visiting professor at the London School of Economics and a research associate at Oxford University, explains why Somaliland isn’t recognized in his new video.
Why Somaliland Isn’t Internationally Recognized?
Somaliland is one of the most interesting cases of secession in international politics. Its 1991 unilateral declaration of independence from Somalia saw the country reclaim its status as an independent country, which it had lost in 1960. Since then, it has consolidated its statehood and now functions as a state by all accepted criteria. However, despite this, it remains wholly unrecognized on the world stage. In this video, I look at why it has struggled to gain international acceptance.
In June 1960, the British Protectorate of Somaliland became independent. In the days that followed, it was recognized by over 30 countries. However, its statehood was short-lived. Just days later, it merged with the newly independent Italian-administered territory of Somaliland, to its south, to form the Somali Republic. However, it was not a happy union. In 1991, as Somalia descended into anarchy, Somaliland seized the opportunity to declare independence.
Since then, it has managed to consolidate its independence. It is widely regarded as meeting the conditions for formal statehood. Indeed, a 2005 African Union fact-finding mission even recommended that it be recognized. However, despite its best efforts, this hasn’t happened. In fact, since then, things have become even more difficult. However, balanced against this, there are some geopolitical changes that might alter things in Somaliland’s favor.
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Welcome to Independent Thinking. A channel dedicated to international relations, independence disputes, secession and the origins of countries.
About the author
James Ker-Lindsay, a visiting professor at the London School of Economics and a research associate at Oxford University. Academic and analyst with internationally recognized expertise on SouthEast Europe (Balkans, Turkey, Greece, and Cyprus). Extensive experience working across Government, Private Sector, Higher Education, and Think Tanks. He has published over a dozen books on ethnic conflicts, secession, breakaway territories and recognition in international politics.
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