Somaliland

Somaliland Latest News

Recently, Israel formally recognised the self-declared Republic of Somaliland ‍as an independent and sovereign state.

About Somaliland

• Location: It is located in the Horn of Africa.
• Bordered by: It is bordering Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia, and the Puntland region, with a strategic coastline along the Gulf of Aden
• Historical Background of Somaliland
  • Somaliland was a British protectorate from the late 19th century.
  • On 26 June 1960, it gained independence as the State of Somaliland.
  • It united with Italian Somaliland on 1 July 1960 to form the Somali Republic.
  • Northern regions faced political marginalization, economic disparities, and administrative neglect under the Somali government.
  • Siad Barre’s regime (1970s-80s) intensified repression, leading to civil war and mass displacement in the north.
  • In 1991, following state collapse, Somaliland declared independence, establishing its own political institutions.
• Capital City: Hargeisa
• Governance: It functions as a de facto independent state with its own constitution, elected government, judiciary, security forces, currency, and national symbols.
  • Governance combines modern democratic institutions with traditional clan-based mechanisms, ensuring stability and conflict resolution.
  • It has a bicameral legislature, including the House of Elders (Guurti), and conducts regular elections contributing to institutional legitimacy.
• Port: Berbera Port is being developed as a regional trade and logistics corridor, particularly serving landlocked Ethiopia.
• Economy: The economy is largely livestock-based, with exports to Gulf countries forming a major revenue source.

Source: TH

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