Ballots Over Bullets: How Somaliland built a thriving democracy from the ashes of war

[Deeq A.]

Hargeisa, Somaliland, on 13 November 2024. He won the presidential election. Luis Tato/AFP via Getty Images

As a child, I believed democracy belonged to Greece—and that only Greeks were naturally suited to practice it. In hindsight, that idea wasn’t far-fetched. I didn’t grow up in a democratic culture. I was raised in Ethiopia, a country long hostile to democratic governance. What I didn’t realize at the time was that a unique form of democracy was quietly taking root just across the border, in a place Google once described as one of the world’s most dangerous and corrupt: our tiny neighbor, Somaliland.

Somaliland has yet to officially take its place among the community of nations. But its record of peaceful, transparent elections proves that democracy can thrive anywhere—big or small, east or west. Located in northern Somalia, Somaliland is a self-declared republic that unilaterally broke away from the rest of the country in 1991, following years of civil war and state collapse.

It’s worth remembering that Somalia and Somaliland unified as one country in June 1960 after a collective victory against the Italian colony in the south and the British presence in the north. But in the years that followed, tensions grew. After seizing power in a 1969 coup, military ruler Siyad Barre sought to centralize his nascent authority in Mogadishu, leaving both southern (particularly Mogadishu Clan) and northern clans underrepresented in government. The share of seats and resources dissatisfied northern clans, which ultimately led to the defection of northern representatives from the south.

While much of Africa fell under the grip of dictators, Siyad Barre pursued his own vision of a unified Somalia under his rule. But in 1991, northern leaders declared their separation from the south—delivering a final blow to his dream of forging a Greater Somalia under his control. His response to the stunning announcement of the northern leaders’ decision to decentralize his rule was to wage a devastating war against the north. Months of relentless ground fighting and aerial assault left the area in complete devastation. Hargeisa, the capital of the northern regions, was leveled to the ground. In the following months, millions fled to neighboring countries, while others undertook perilous journeys across deserts and seas—largely ignored by the global media.

The rise of the Somaliland National Movement (SNM)

As shelling rained down on the capital and the region, insurgencies had begun to take root. In the north, a new frontier, mercenary soldiers led by some of the current and deceased Somaliland leaders began to mobilize people and resources to confront some of the attacks. Even though the newly formed junta was ill-equipped and had no resources to withstand any attacks, their determination to fight back was a sign of hope for the people in the north. The liberation front was later joined by other clans in the region.

The resistance continued to grow, and Somalia came under mounting domestic and international pressure to end the violence. Aid agencies warned that the conflict was pushing the region to the brink of humanitarian catastrophe. After nearly five years of bush warfare and a costly, collective struggle, northern leaders formally declared Somaliland’s separation from the south on May 18, 1991—giving birth to the self-declared republic that exists today. As Somalia descended into civil war following the collapse of the central government, Somaliland’s decision to break away spared it from further destruction. In a country leveled to the ground, rebuilding from the ashes of destruction required both sacrifice and resources. Refugees who had fled during the war began to return, while those who settled abroad—particularly in Europe and North America—sent remittances to help their families and communities rebuild. Slowly but steadily, Somaliland began to rise from the ashes, even as the rest of Somalia continued to fragment.

Somaliland’s Rise to the World

Three decades later, Somaliland has maintained relative peace and democratic order—despite lacking formal international recognition. It has held six peaceful, competitive elections, all witnessed by international observers and accepted by both winners and losers. Somaliland’s ballot box has become a symbol of political maturity in a continent where elections often spark unrest.

A cornerstone of its economy is the Berbera Port, a vital commercial gateway on the Red Sea. In 2017, the UAE inked a landmark deal to develop the port, with Ethiopia securing a 19% stake in the venture. Then, in January 2024, Ethiopia signed a separate sea access agreement with Somaliland—triggering fierce opposition from Somalia, which denounced the move as a breach of its sovereignty. The deal has sparked regional and international concern that the Red Sea is becoming a point of competition. Somalia has condemned the deal and called it “a violation of its sovereignty.” The feud between Ethiopia and Somalia created tension in the Horn of Africa.

On Tuesday, November 13, Somalilanders went to the polls to elect a new leader for the 5th straight time. The region was grappling with a host of domestic and international problems.

In the east, the town of Las’anod had slipped from government control after Somaliland forces entered in August 2023. Local militias quickly organized, expelling troops in fierce clashes that left civilians dead. Meanwhile, economic challenges—often overlooked in public discourse—also shaped voter concerns.

When the Somaliland National Electoral Commission finally announced the results, the opposition had won by a wide margin. The result that millions of Somalilanders were anxiously waiting for. The new leadership is expected to have major regional complications as their power progresses.

The most enduring lesson from Somaliland’s democratic journey is its deeply participatory, grassroots nature. This is a democracy built from the ground up—driven by consensus, rooted in tradition, and powered by the people.

International observers lauded the November elections. The U.S. Ambassador to Somalia even visited Somaliland to witness the vote firsthand. With broad acceptance across the political spectrum, the peaceful handover of power reinforced Somaliland’s democratic credentials.

From forging its own government, currency, and security forces to sustaining peace and holding regular elections, Somaliland continues to defy expectations. It is asking to be recognized as Africa’s 55th nation.

As Somaliland embraces a path toward democracy, questions remain about whether their unique exercise of democracy will pave the way for international recognition.

Ahmed Abdi is a blogger, communications officer at New Ways Organization in Mogadishu and US Cultural Exchange Bureau’s Community Engagement Exchange alumni. In his blogs, Ahmed writes about contemporary issues in the Horn of Africa mainly Somalia and Ethiopia. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Social work and is passionate about storytelling.

Qaran News