Library Dissertation Showcase

Not quite recognition? A critical exploration of the developing policies towards Somaliland

  • Year of Publication:
  • 2022

This study seeks to determine the validity of Somaliland’s claim to statehood; to establish current policy towards Somaliland; to explain why current policy is as it is; and to determine the implications of policy towards Somaliland on its potential for future recognition and on statehood, diplomatic ties, and recognition as a broader topic. The study utilises primary and secondary sources to do so. Specifically, articles and books to contextualise the topic and establish theories of statehood and recognition, and government and media resources to establish current policy towards Somaliland. I find that Somaliland’s diplomatic ties have strengthened and broadened from 2020-2022. This study reiterates that Somaliland has a solid claim to statehood and argues against the constitutive theory of statehood. This study concludes that the significant development in Somaliland’s diplomatic relations can be linked to Somalia’s impotence within Somaliland and on the international stage and a domino effect regarding Somaliland’s increasing diplomatic relations. I further conclude that Kenya is the most likely source for future recognition, that the existing criteria for implicit recognition is too limited and suggest the usage of a new term “semi-formal ties” to describe the heightened level of diplomacy experienced by Somaliland despite lacking formal recognition.

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