𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱: 𝗔 𝗗𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗰𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝗯𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝘂𝘀

[Deeq A.]

𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱: 𝗔 𝗗𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗰𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝗯𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝘂𝘀

𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
The African Union (AU) was founded on the principles of self-determination, peace, unity, and regional stability. Yet, it finds itself at a crossroads when it comes to Somaliland—a de facto state that has spent over three decades building a stable democracy, upholding the rule of law, and maintaining peace in a region marked by turmoil. Despite its remarkable achievements, Somaliland remains excluded from AU discussions, development initiatives, and regional decision-making.

Recognizing Somaliland through 𝗢𝗯𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝘂𝘀 is not just a matter of political diplomacy—it is a moral imperative and a strategic necessity. Somaliland represents the very ideals the AU seeks to promote: democracy, stability, and self-reliance. By granting Somaliland a seat at the table, the AU would send a powerful message that African nations that prioritize good governance, security, and economic development will not be ignored.

This article makes the legal, historical, and political case for Somaliland’s inclusion in the AU, explores how this move would benefit the African continent, and outlines concrete steps for African and global leaders to support this long-overdue decision.

𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱’𝘀 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆: 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲

𝗔 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗪𝗮𝘀 𝗢𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱
Somaliland’s case for Observer Status is not about secession—it is about reclaiming a sovereignty that was once acknowledged by the international community.
June 26, 1960 – The British Somaliland Protectorate gained full independence, recognized by more than 30 UN member states, including the United Kingdom and Egypt.
July 1, 1960 – Just five days later, Somaliland voluntarily united with Italian Somalia to form the Somali Republic—a political experiment that lacked a formal legal framework and quickly proved to be an unequal partnership.
1991 – After enduring decades of marginalization and a devastating civil war, Somaliland peacefully reclaimed its independence, rebuilding its institutions from the ground up.

𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘆

Unlike many post-conflict states, Somaliland’s stability was not imposed by foreign intervention but carefully crafted through locally driven reconciliation efforts. After withdrawing from the failed union with Somalia, Somaliland’s leaders prioritized peacebuilding, democratic governance, and economic development rather than falling into political fragmentation.
✔ 𝟭𝟵𝟵𝟯 𝗕𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗮 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 – Clan elders, politicians, and civil society representatives came together to draft Somaliland’s constitution, creating a hybrid governance model that blends traditional leadership (guurti) with modern democratic institutions.
✔ 𝗦𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟬𝟯 – Somaliland has successfully held multiple presidential, parliamentary, and local elections, with power transitions occurring peacefully—a rare achievement in the region.
✔ 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘃𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 – The 2021 parliamentary elections saw a 70% voter turnout, reflecting high public trust in the system.

At a time when many AU member states struggle with political instability, coups, and authoritarianism, Somaliland stands out as a success story—a nation that has proven its commitment to democracy, stability, and governance despite lacking international recognition.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗢𝗯𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝘂𝘀

𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱

Under the 1933 Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States, Somaliland fully satisfies the legal requirements for statehood:
𝟭. 𝗔 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗼𝗽𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 – More than 5.7 million people who share a national identity, language, and governance structure.
𝟮. 𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 – Somaliland’s territory corresponds to the former British Somaliland Protectorate (1884–1960), borders that were internationally recognized before the union with Somalia.
𝟯. 𝗔 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 – Somaliland has a working executive, legislature, and judiciary, operating independently.
𝟰. 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 – Somaliland maintains trade agreements, security cooperation, and diplomatic missions in over 15 countries.

These factors clearly distinguish Somaliland from separatist movements elsewhere in Africa—it is not seeking to redraw borders but rather to restore a sovereignty that existed before the union with Somalia.

𝗔𝗨 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗵𝗿𝗮𝘄𝗶 𝗔𝗿𝗮𝗯 𝗗𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗰𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 (𝗦𝗔𝗗𝗥)

The AU has already set a precedent by recognizing the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) in 1982, despite its contested status.
✔ 𝗦𝗔𝗗𝗥 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 – Both were former protectorates that later sought independence.
✔ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗨 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝗔𝗗𝗥 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗨𝗡 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 – Demonstrating that the AU can act independently of the United Nations.
✔ 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝘂𝘀 – Unlike SADR, which holds full AU membership, Somaliland only seeks Observer Status, making this an even less controversial decision.

If the AU can accommodate SADR, why continue excluding Somaliland—a nation that outperforms many AU states in governance, security, and democracy?

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱’𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗨

𝟭. 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮
Many African nations have struggled with democratic backsliding, political instability, and military coups.
✔ Somaliland offers a rare African success story, demonstrating that democracy can thrive without international intervention.
✔ Its free and fair elections put it ahead of many AU member states in terms of governance and accountability.
✔ Including Somaliland in AU discussions would set an example for other African nations, proving that democracy can and will be rewarded.

𝟮. 𝗘𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆
Somaliland’s location along the Gulf of Aden makes it a key player in regional security:
✔ 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 – Somaliland’s coastguard has reduced piracy in the Gulf of Aden by 90% since 2012, ensuring safe trade routes.
✔ 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿 – Somaliland has remained free from Al-Shabaab attacks for over a decade, making it a valuable security ally for Africa and global powers.
✔ 𝗔 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗯𝘂𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 – Somaliland’s stability helps prevent the spread of terrorism and conflict in the Horn of Africa.

𝟯. 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮
Somaliland is an emerging economic hub, with major infrastructure projects that could benefit the entire African continent:
✔ 𝗕𝗲𝗿𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗮 𝗣𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 – A $442 million project (funded by DP World and the UAE) transforming Somaliland into a regional trade hub.
✔ 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗘𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗮 – The 2024 Ethiopia-Somaliland MoU could strengthen economic ties between East Africa and the Middle East.
✔ 𝗨𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗱 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗣𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 – Somaliland has vast oil and gas reserves attracting interest from international investors.

Allowing Somaliland to engage in AU economic initiatives would strengthen intra-African trade and investment, in line with Agenda 2063’s vision for economic integration.

𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀

𝟭. “𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗦𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗢𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀?”
𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴—it is restoring its 1960 independence. Unlike secessionist groups, Somaliland’s borders were internationally recognized before its union with Somalia.

𝟮. “𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱’𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.”
Somalia has consistently refused to engage in negotiations without preconditions. The AU must step in as a neutral mediator, similar to its approach in Sudan-South Sudan negotiations (2011–2013).

𝟯. “𝗔𝗨 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲𝘀 𝗘𝘅𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀.”
The AU’s own 2005 fact-finding report acknowledged Somaliland’s unique case, stating that it deserved special consideration outside of the traditional AU framework.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱: 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗨 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝘁

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗨 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗗𝗼:
𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝗯𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝘂𝘀 𝗜𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆 – This would allow Somaliland to contribute expertise in security, trade, and democratic governance.
𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟬𝟱 𝗔𝗨 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 – A formal vote in the AU Assembly could finally recognize Somaliland’s special status.
𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗮 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗨 𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗼𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱-𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸𝘀 – A neutral figure could help restart stalled negotiations without preconditions.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝘀 (𝗨.𝗦., 𝗨𝗞, 𝗘𝗨, 𝗨𝗔𝗘) 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗗𝗼:
𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 – Western and Gulf allies should encourage AU member states to support Somaliland’s bid.
𝗧𝗶𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗨 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 – Donor nations should link funding to progress on recognizing Somaliland’s democratic success.
𝗘𝗻𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 – Economic incentives could build diplomatic momentum for formal recognition.

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗔 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽

For more than 30 years, Somaliland has been a shining example of peace, democracy, and stability in Africa—a continent often plagued by political crises. Yet, despite meeting all legal, moral, and practical criteria, it remains sidelined by the AU.

Granting Somaliland Observer Status is more than a political gesture; it is a bold step toward an Africa that values governance over outdated territorial politics. Recognizing Somaliland would:
✔ Reward stability and democracy in Africa.
✔ Strengthen regional security and counterterrorism efforts.
✔ Enhance economic cooperation through trade and investment.

The AU must live up to its founding principles and act not out of fear, but out of leadership. The time for hesitation is over. It is time for Africa to embrace Somaliland—not just as an Observer, but as a legitimate and valued partner in shaping the continent’s future.

The world faces a choice: 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮 𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲, 𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘆, 𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀. The answer should be clear—the AU must act, and it must act now.

𝗔𝗯𝗱𝗶 𝗛𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗺 𝗠. 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗮
Political & Economic Analyst |
E-mail: halimusa4@gmail.com
𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲: 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟲 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱

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