𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐬 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝:

[Deeq A.]

𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐬 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝:

The 1960 “union” between Somaliland and Somalia was not legally binding,
It was a political arrangement, not a legal one. No binding treaty was ever signed, ratified, or deposited at the United Nations, making the union legally void. It would not withstand legal scrutiny in any international court.

Somaliland never lost Its sovereignty, it temporarily entered an unratified and unlawful union in 1960 but reclaimed its independence in 1991. Under international law, its case is one of state continuity, not secession, as it was already a sovereign state and got its independence in 1960.

Somaliland meets all legal criteria for statehood, it satisfies the Montevideo Convention criteria for statehood: it has a defined territory, permanent population, functioning government, and the capacity to engage in foreign relations. Its case is rooted in decolonization and state continuity, not secession.

Somaliland’s case is strengthened by the Principle of Uti Possidetis Juris, a key doctrine in international law, affirms that former colonial borders should be respected upon independence. Somaliland gained its independence in 1960 within its colonial-era borders, meaning it has a legitimate legal claim to statehood based on its original internationally recognized boundaries.

The African Union recognizes Somaliland’s Unique and Justified Case for Recognition. In its 2005 fact-finding mission, the African Union concluded:
“The fact that the union between Somaliland and Somalia was never ratified and also malfunctioned when it went into action from 1960 to 1990, makes Somaliland’s search for recognition historically unique and self-justified in African political history.”

This acknowledgment by Africa’s highest political body further validates Somaliland’s case for recognition as a sovereign state.

Somaliland has functioned as a Sovereign State for over four decades.
Since reclaiming its independence in 1991, It operates separately from Somalia, holding regular elections, managing its own economy, and maintaining its own security forces, all hallmarks of a fully sovereign state.

Ibraahim Muse

Qaran News