Somaliland: What It Is, Why It Exists, and Why It Matters
Republic of Somaliland is a self-governing political entity in the Horn of Africa that has functioned as a de facto state since 1991, despite lacking broad international recognition. Recent developments in Red Sea security, regional geopolitics, and maritime trade have brought renewed attention to its status.
This explainer outlines Somaliland’s background, governance, legal position, and strategic relevance, particularly from an Indian perspective.
What is Somaliland?
Somaliland occupies the territory of the former British Somaliland Protectorate. It gained independence on 26 June 1960 and voluntarily united with Italian Somalia days later to form the Somali Republic.
That union broke down over subsequent decades. Following the collapse of the Somali state in 1991, Somaliland withdrew from the union and declared independence. Since then, it has exercised effective control over its territory and population for more than three decades.
Its capital is Hargeisa. Somaliland borders Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Somalia.
Why did Somaliland break away from Somalia?
The separation did not occur gradually or peacefully. It followed years of political repression and large-scale civilian violence during the military dictatorship of Siad Barre.
In the late 1980s, northern Somalia, inhabited predominantly by the Isaaq clan, was subjected to aerial bombardment of cities such as Hargeisa and Burao, destruction of civilian infrastructure, and mass displacement. Human rights organisations estimate that between 100,000 and 200,000 civilians were killed.
When the Somali state collapsed in 1991, there was no functioning political authority to which Somaliland could return. Its declaration of independence reflected both the breakdown of the union and the absence of a viable central state.
How is Somaliland governed today?
Since 1991, Somaliland has developed its own political institutions, including:
- a constitution approved by referendum
- an elected presidency and legislature
- a judiciary and security forces under civilian authority
It has conducted multiple elections and experienced peaceful transfers of power. Internal security has generally been stronger than in neighbouring areas, and large-scale militant violence has been limited.
By contrast, Somalia has experienced prolonged fragmentation, civil conflict, and the persistent presence of armed extremist groups since 1991.
Why is Somaliland unrecognised?
Despite its longevity and internal governance, Somaliland remains unrecognised by most states and international organisations. This is largely due to:
- African Union norms prioritising territorial integrity
- Somalia’s continued claim over the territory
- concerns about setting precedents for secession
- the absence, until recently, of strong external sponsors
As a result, Somaliland exists in diplomatic limbo: self-governing in practice, but excluded from formal international institutions.
What is Somaliland’s status under international law?
Under the Montevideo Convention, a state is defined by four criteria:
- a permanent population
- a defined territory
- an effective government
- the capacity to conduct external relations
Recognition by other states is not listed as a constitutive requirement.
By this standard, Somaliland meets the core criteria associated with statehood. The debate around its status therefore concerns political recognition rather than functional existence.
What changed in recent years?
Several developments have increased Somaliland’s strategic salience:
- Maritime security: The Red Sea and Gulf of Aden have seen escalating instability, with direct implications for global trade.
- Port infrastructure: The Port of Berbera has emerged as a significant logistics hub along the Gulf of Aden, including as an alternative corridor for Ethiopian trade.
- External engagement: Somaliland established ties with Taiwan in 2020 and has expanded functional relations with multiple partners.
- Regional escalation: In December 2025, Israel formally recognised Somaliland’s statehood. Shortly thereafter, Houthi leadership in Yemen stated that any Israeli presence in Somaliland would be treated as a military target.
Somaliland has, as a result, become an unavoidable variable in the security calculus of the Red Sea theatre.
Why does Somaliland matter to India?
From India’s perspective, Somaliland’s relevance is primarily strategic:
- Trade and energy routes: A significant share of India’s trade and energy shipments transit the Red Sea–Gulf of Aden corridor.
- Western Indian Ocean engagement: India has increased its focus on maritime resilience and logistics access across the western Indian Ocean.
- Strategic diversification: Berbera is not embedded in long-term, exclusive infrastructure arrangements dominated by China, unlike several regional ports.
- Security environment: As threats to shipping and port infrastructure increase, stable and cooperative partners along key corridors gain strategic importance.
What policy options exist?
States engaging with Somaliland generally consider a spectrum of approaches:
- maintaining the status quo of non-recognition
- expanding informal or functional engagement
- opening representative or trade offices
- formal diplomatic recognition
Different states have adopted different combinations of these options, often incrementally.
Conclusion
Somaliland occupies an unusual position in the international system: a self-governing, internally stable polity that has existed for over three decades without formal recognition. Recent regional developments have increased its strategic relevance, particularly in the context of Red Sea security and western Indian Ocean trade.
As geopolitical attention shifts toward the Horn of Africa, Somaliland’s status is likely to remain a subject of debate across diplomatic, legal, and strategic domains.