SOMALILAND: A SPECIAL CASE FOR INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION?

Somaliland is widely regarded as meeting established conditions for formal statehood, but many would-be supporters look to the African Union to lead the process of recognition.

​

In 2005 the African Union sent a fact-finding mission to Somaliland. The official summary of its findings is in favor of independence, asserting

 

“Somaliland’s search for recognition [is] historically unique and self-justified in African political history.”

​

The summary recommended that Somaliland be recognized by the African Union. Yet, since then, the African Union has not acted on its own findings.

​

Watch this insightful video by Prof James Ker-Lindsay on how Somaliland meets the conditions for formal statehood.