Somaliland
The old British Somaliland, which joined Somalia in 1960 and declared itself independent again in 1991. It has run its own government, currency and elections ever since, and in December 2025 Israel became the first country to recognise it.
Written from cited sourcesLast checked 26 September 2026Suggest a correction
See it on the globe:
Somalia →
Ethiopia →
Djibouti →
British Somaliland
In the late 19th century, Britain set up a protectorate on the north coast of the Somali lands, facing its base at Aden, while France took the area of present-day Djibouti and Italy took most of the rest.[1] In 1899 the Muslim leader Sayyid Maxamed Cabdulle Xasan began a war against the British that held the interior until his death in 1920.[1]
In 1960 British Somaliland and Italian Somaliland both became independent and merged to form the Somali Republic.[3][1]
1991: going it alone
Somalia’s civil war began in the 1980s, and in the north government forces fought the rebels of the Somali National Movement. Tens of thousands of people were killed and towns were flattened.[3] After the government fell in 1991, the movement held the old British Somaliland. In May 1991 it announced that the 1960 union was no longer valid and declared the Republic of Somaliland.[1]
While the rest of Somalia stayed at war, Somaliland was relatively stable. It rebuilt much of its infrastructure and set up its own currency and flag.[1] In a referendum in 2001, more than 97% of voters endorsed a constitution affirming its independence.[3]
Why so few recognise it
Almost every country and international organisation supports Somalia’s territorial integrity.[1] The African Union, like the Organisation of African Unity before it, prefers to keep the borders countries had at independence, and many fear that recognising Somaliland would encourage other breakaway movements.[1] Somaliland has refused to join talks on reunifying Somalia, saying its independence means it cannot be a party to them.[1]
Its eastern edge is disputed too. Somaliland and Puntland, an autonomous region of Somalia since 1998, both claim the Sool, Sanaag and Cayn areas.[1] In 2023 local leaders there declared themselves part of Somalia as SSC-Khaatumo, which Somalia recognised as the North East State in 2025 and as a full federal member state in January 2026. Somaliland and Puntland both reject it.[1]
A port deal and a first recognition
In early January 2024 Somaliland signed a memorandum of understanding with Ethiopia to lease it coastal land for a naval base, reportedly with a promise that Ethiopia would recognise Somaliland at some point. Somalia was furious, and its row with Ethiopia lasted a year.[1]
On 26 December 2025 Israel became the first country to formally recognise Somaliland, in a joint declaration signed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Somaliland’s president, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi.[2] Somalia called it an “unlawful step”, and the African Union and several governments condemned it.[2][1]
Timeline
1899
Dervish war
Sayyid Maxamed Cabdulle Xasan begins a war against British rule.[1]
1960
Union
British and Italian Somaliland become independent and merge.[3][1]
1991
Declaration
The old British Somaliland declares itself independent.[1]
2001
Referendum
More than 97% endorse the constitution.[3]
2024
Ethiopia deal
A memorandum on leasing coastal land to Ethiopia angers Somalia.[1]
202526 December 2025
Israel recognises it
Israel becomes the first country to recognise Somaliland.[2]
2026
North East State
Somalia recognises the contested east as a full federal member state.[1]
More disputed places
Sources
- [1]Somaliland · Encyclopaedia Britannica
- [2]Israel becomes first country to formally recognize Somaliland · CNN · 26 December 2025
- [3]Somaliland profile · BBC News · 2 January 2024
Map geometry from Natural Earth via world-atlas. See credits.