Somaliland: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 15:24, 9 December 2024

Somaliland

Somaliland is a self-declared state, internationally considered to be an autonomous region of Somalia. It is located in the Horn of Africa, bordered by Djibouti to the west, Ethiopia to the south, and the Gulf of Aden to the north. Despite its declaration of independence in 1991, Somaliland has not been recognized as a sovereign state by any country or international organization.

History[edit]

The history of Somaliland is deeply intertwined with that of Somalia and the broader Horn of Africa. The region was part of the British Somaliland Protectorate from the late 19th century until 1960. On June 26, 1960, British Somaliland gained independence and five days later, it united with the Trust Territory of Somalia (formerly Italian Somaliland) to form the Somali Republic.

Following years of civil war and unrest, Somaliland declared its independence from Somalia on May 18, 1991, after the collapse of the central Somali government. This declaration was made by the Somali National Movement (SNM) and other northern clans, who sought to establish a stable and peaceful region separate from the chaos in southern Somalia.

Geography[edit]

Somaliland covers an area of approximately 176,120 square kilometers. The region is characterized by a varied landscape that includes coastal plains, mountain ranges, and plateaus. The climate is predominantly arid or semi-arid, with temperatures ranging from mild to hot throughout the year.

Politics and Government[edit]

Somaliland operates as a de facto independent state with its own government institutions. It has a republican form of government with a president, a bicameral parliament, and an independent judiciary. The political system is based on a hybrid of traditional clan-based governance and modern democratic principles.

The capital and largest city of Somaliland is Hargeisa. Other major cities include Berbera, Burao, and Erigavo.

Economy[edit]

The economy of Somaliland is primarily based on livestock, remittances from the diaspora, and informal trade. Livestock farming is the backbone of the economy, with camels, sheep, and goats being the most common animals raised. The port city of Berbera serves as a crucial hub for trade, particularly for livestock exports to the Middle East.

Remittances from Somalilanders living abroad play a significant role in the economy, providing a vital source of income for many families and contributing to the development of infrastructure and services.

Culture[edit]

Somaliland has a rich cultural heritage that reflects its history and the diverse ethnic groups that inhabit the region. The Somali language is the official language, and Islam is the predominant religion. Traditional music, dance, and poetry are important aspects of Somali culture, with the "dhaanto" being a popular traditional dance.

Challenges[edit]

Despite its relative stability compared to the rest of Somalia, Somaliland faces several challenges. These include lack of international recognition, which limits its ability to engage in formal diplomatic and economic relations. Additionally, issues such as poverty, unemployment, and limited access to education and healthcare services remain significant hurdles.

Also see[edit]

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-[[File:Samo_ku_waar_(instrumental).ogg|Samo ku waar (instrumental).ogg|thumb]] [[File:Annali_del_Museo_civico_di_storia_naturale_di_Genova_(1895)_(18411100885).jpg|Annali del Museo civico di storia naturale di Genova (1895) (18411100885)|thumb|left]] [[File:Dhaymoole_Rock_art_in_Somaliland.jpg|Dhaymoole Rock art in Somaliland|thumb|left]] [[File:Sheekh_Isaaq.jpg|Sheekh Isaaq|thumb]] [[File:YagbeaSionBattlingAdaSultan.JPG|YagbeaSionBattlingAdaSultan|thumb]] [[File:Isaaq_Flag.svg|Isaaq Flag|thumb]]  '''Somaliland''' is a self-declared state, internationally considered to be part of [[Somalia]]. Located in the Horn of Africa, it borders [[Ethiopia]] to the south and west, [[Djibouti]] to the northwest, the Gulf of Aden to the north, and the autonomous [[Puntland]] region of Somalia to the east. Somaliland declared independence from Somalia on May 18, 1991, following the collapse of the central government of Somalia. Despite its self-declared independence, Somaliland is not officially recognized as a sovereign state by the [[United Nations]] or any country, but it maintains informal ties with some nations and international organizations.
+[[File:Annali del Museo civico di storia naturale di Genova (1895) (18411100885).jpg|thumb]] [[File:Dhaymoole Rock art in Somaliland.jpg|thumb]] [[File:Sheekh Isaaq.jpg|thumb]] [[File:YagbeaSionBattlingAdaSultan.JPG|thumb]] Somaliland
+Somaliland is a self-declared state, internationally considered to be an autonomous region of [[Somalia]]. It is located in the Horn of Africa, bordered by [[Djibouti]] to the west, [[Ethiopia]] to the south, and the [[Gulf of Aden]] to the north. Despite its declaration of independence in 1991, Somaliland has not been recognized as a sovereign state by any country or international organization.
 ==History==
-The region that now encompasses Somaliland was part of the ancient land known as [[Punt]] in antiquity. Its history is marked by the influence of various empires and dynasties, including the [[Adal Sultanate]] and the [[Ottoman Empire]]. In the late 19th century, it became a British protectorate known as British Somaliland. Following World War II, British Somaliland gained independence on June 26, 1960, and five days later, it chose to unite with the former Italian Somaliland to form the Somali Republic.
+The history of Somaliland is deeply intertwined with that of Somalia and the broader Horn of Africa. The region was part of the British Somaliland Protectorate from the late 19th century until 1960. On June 26, 1960, British Somaliland gained independence and five days later, it united with the Trust Territory of Somalia (formerly Italian Somaliland) to form the [[Somali Republic]].
-The union was fraught with difficulties from the outset, leading to widespread dissatisfaction in the north. The situation deteriorated into a brutal civil war during the late 1980s, culminating in the northern clans declaring the region independent from Somalia in 1991 as the Republic of Somaliland.
+Following years of civil war and unrest, Somaliland declared its independence from Somalia on May 18, 1991, after the collapse of the central Somali government. This declaration was made by the Somali National Movement (SNM) and other northern clans, who sought to establish a stable and peaceful region separate from the chaos in southern Somalia.
+==Geography==
+Somaliland covers an area of approximately 176,120 square kilometers. The region is characterized by a varied landscape that includes coastal plains, mountain ranges, and plateaus. The climate is predominantly arid or semi-arid, with temperatures ranging from mild to hot throughout the year.
 ==Politics and Government==
-Somaliland operates as a [[democracy]], with its own government, military, and police force. It has held several peaceful elections, which have been deemed free and fair by international observers. The political system is a hybrid of traditional clan-based structures and modern democratic institutions, including a bicameral parliament consisting of the House of Elders ([[Guurti]]) and the House of Representatives.
+Somaliland operates as a de facto independent state with its own government institutions. It has a republican form of government with a president, a bicameral parliament, and an independent judiciary. The political system is based on a hybrid of traditional clan-based governance and modern democratic principles.
+The capital and largest city of Somaliland is [[Hargeisa]]. Other major cities include [[Berbera]], [[Burao]], and [[Erigavo]].
 ==Economy==
-The economy of Somaliland is primarily based on [[livestock]], [[remittance/money transfer companies]], and [[telecommunications]]. Livestock trade is the backbone of the economy, with the majority of the population engaged in pastoralism and animal husbandry. Remittances from the large diaspora community play a crucial role in the economy, while the telecommunications sector has seen significant growth, with local companies providing some of the most competitive services in Africa.
+The economy of Somaliland is primarily based on livestock, remittances from the diaspora, and informal trade. Livestock farming is the backbone of the economy, with camels, sheep, and goats being the most common animals raised. The port city of Berbera serves as a crucial hub for trade, particularly for livestock exports to the Middle East.
-==Education and Culture==
+Remittances from Somalilanders living abroad play a significant role in the economy, providing a vital source of income for many families and contributing to the development of infrastructure and services.
-Somaliland has a growing education system that includes primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. There are several universities in Somaliland, with [[University of Hargeisa]] being one of the most prominent. The culture of Somaliland is predominantly Somali, with a rich heritage of poetry, music, and dance. The region is also known for its ancient rock art sites, such as [[Laas Geel]], which feature some of the earliest known cave paintings in the Horn of Africa.
+==Culture==
+Somaliland has a rich cultural heritage that reflects its history and the diverse ethnic groups that inhabit the region. The Somali language is the official language, and Islam is the predominant religion. Traditional music, dance, and poetry are important aspects of Somali culture, with the "dhaanto" being a popular traditional dance.
 ==Challenges==
-Despite its achievements, Somaliland faces numerous challenges, including international non-recognition, economic development, and environmental issues such as drought. The lack of formal recognition limits its access to international aid and hampers its ability to engage in formal diplomatic relations.
+Despite its relative stability compared to the rest of Somalia, Somaliland faces several challenges. These include lack of international recognition, which limits its ability to engage in formal diplomatic and economic relations. Additionally, issues such as poverty, unemployment, and limited access to education and healthcare services remain significant hurdles.
+==Also see==
+* [[Somalia]]
+* [[Hargeisa]]
+* [[Horn of Africa]]
+* [[Djibouti]]
+* [[Ethiopia]]
-==Conclusion==
+{{Somalia topics}}
-Somaliland remains a unique case of relative stability and democratic governance in a volatile region. Its quest for international recognition continues, as it seeks to prove that it meets the criteria for statehood under international law. The resilience and determination of its people have made Somaliland a symbol of self-reliance and peace-building in the Horn of Africa.
 [[Category:Somaliland]]
-[[Category:Unrecognized or partially recognized countries]]
+[[Category:Politics of Somalia]]
-{{geography-stub}}
+[[Category:Unrecognized countries]]