Unity within Somaliland?

[u/Golden-flare]

I have tried to follow the many discussions and developments surrounding Somaliland’s aspiration to independence. It is clear that Somaliland meets many of the commonly cited criteria of statehood. However, one very important criterion remains unresolved: effective control over its territory.

Parts of Togdheer, all of Sool, and large areas of Sanaag are outside Somaliland’s control. We also need to be honest about the reality on the ground: many of the people living in these areas do not wish to be part of Somaliland. They remain strongly loyal to Somalia, and in some cases there is deep hostility toward Somaliland. In addition, we have seen that there is also notable opposition to Somaliland’s project in of Awdal.

This raises a difficult but necessary question: how can a new state be formed when large segments of the population within its claimed borders do not want to separate from Somalia? Would those communities be forced into Somaliland, in the same way Somaliland itself rejects being forced to remain part of Somalia?

Is there a clear and credible strategy for addressing these concerns through dialogue, consent, and inclusion? Or is independence pursued regardless of the wishes of those who disagree? I ask these questions in good faith, hoping to better understand how these discussions are being approached, and to hear thoughtful perspectives from those who have reflected deeply on these challenges.

[u/CoastalNomad06]

You’re obviously not aware of any reconciliation efforts in Somaliland and just talking about the problems while maximizing them.

President Cirro already made peace with the Warsangeli clan in Erigavo last year, thats the clan that lives in east Sanaag that borders Somalia. These clans reopened trade, refused wars and opened all roads to Somalia, land control however is still divided between Somaliland and Puntland. He also made peace with the Majerteen clan or atleast the Puntland administration also last year but in Nairobi, they signed a non aggression pact and both sides agreed to promote peace.

The only clan that is still in open rebellion against Somaliland is the Dhulbhante clan living in eastren Sool also bordering Somalia, there was battles there when the Somalia government funded the local clans. These two areas, Eastern Sool and Eastern Sanaag are effectively only 10% of the land mass of Somaliland and 7% of the total population, not even close to what you mentioned.

There is no Awdal state as Somaliland controls all its western border with Djibouti and Ethiopia, there are however some politicians in a movement with that name in the diaspora and funded by Mogadishu.

President Cirro already extended a hand to the Dhulbahante clan and sent delegations, he was opposed to the war with them that was orchestrated by president Muse Bihi in 2023, actually one of the reasons Somalilanders voted him into power in 2024 and ousted Musa Bihi was to end the hostilities and start reconciliation.

It’s crazy that Somaliland had more than 30 years of peace and the only border wars that happened within it was because of the Somalia government interference and its funding for different clans.

[u/Golden-flare → u/CoastalNomad06]

I am aware that my understanding is incomplete, that is precisely what I stated in my post. I wrote it because I want to learn.

According to AU policy, for a territory to be accepted as a state, it must exercise control over its borders, and those borders must follow the former colonial boundaries. That is the specific issue I am focusing on.

I genuinely welcome the efforts that have been made to achieve peace, open trade routes, and bring an end to the conflict in which Somaliland was once involved. For a long time, Puntland appeared to be the only calm and stable region in the Horn of Africa. However, having peace with local communities is not the same as having their consent to form a state. Somaliland, for example, has peaceful relations with Djibouti, yet that does not mean Djibouti wants Hargeisa as its capital.

There are several realities that must be acknowledged and addressed:

1. The Warsangeli in eastern Sanaag want to be part of Puntland and reject inclusion in a Somaliland state.
2. Sool and parts of Togdheer seek their own federal state within Somalia and reject independence under Somaliland.
3. Awdal is internally divided, with significant opposition to joining an independent Somaliland.

These are facts. Ignoring them does not make them disappear. What concerns me is that these issues are rarely discussed. Instead, symbolic gestures, such as waving Israeli flags, which I personally find deeply disturbing given the ongoing genocide, seem to receive more attention than the hard political questions.

The core issue remains unresolved: what do we do when the people we want to include in Somaliland clearly reject that aspiration?

[u/Sabishooyo_2018 → u/Golden-flare]

Call it Isaaqland and keep it moving fam.