Somaliland’s quest for international recognition remains one of the most debated issues in international law and African politics. This study examines the legal foundations of Somaliland’s claim to statehood and evaluates the implications of alternative policy approaches for regional stability in the Horn of Africa. Using a qualitative comparative case study design supported by doctrinal legal analysis and secondary sources, the study assesses Somaliland’s claim through the principles of self-determination, territorial integrity, and the Montevideo criteria for statehood. Two complementary comparative analyses are employed. First, Somaliland’s claim to legal distinctiveness is examined in comparison with Africa’s major self-determination movements. Second, comparative African experiences are examined to assess the implications of recognition and non-recognition strategies. The findings indicate that Somaliland’s claim demonstrates legal and historical distinctiveness, as it is based not on secession but on the restoration of its previous independence. African experiences of recognition and non-recognition suggest that mediation offers an appropriate pathway for the peaceful settlement of such political conflicts, with arbitration serving as an alternative if mediation fails. The study concludes that any arrangement should reflect the freely expressed will of the peoples concerned through a credible democratic process.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Ali Ismail Mire (2026) studied this question.