Decolonization and the Politics of Recognition: the Case of Somaliland

Somaliland’s pursuit of international recognition offers a distinctive lens through which to analyse the intersections of decolonisation, self-determination, and the legal-political entrenchment of colonial-era boundaries. Having declared independence from Somalia in 1991, Somaliland has built a relatively stable and functioning state. Yet, more than three decades later, it remains outside the international system of recognised sovereign states. This persistent liminality raises pressing questions about how principles such as uti possidetis juris and self-determination are interpreted and operationalised, particularly in the African context.