Seceding but not Succeeding: African International Relations and Somaliland’s lacking international recognition

Abstract

Somaliland, the northern region of Somalia, declared independence in 1991 and has for the past two decades functioned as an independent political entity with important state-like structures. However, notwithstanding its relatively high accomplishment (especially as compared to Somalia) in state-building, it remains without any international political recognition. This article attempts to expose the politics behind Somaliland’s (non) recognition by analysing key African players and their roles in Somaliland’s international recognition game. The main arguments made are that some continental African states and Somaliland’s neighbours seem to be content keeping the status quo, and Somaliland’s international recognition is not a pressing issue for anyone but Somaliland. The fact that no African country seems to be ready to be the first to recognize Somaliland (while many are happy to be the second) may yet prove the most considerable obstacle for Somaliland’s recognition in the foreseeable future.