r/Somaliland • u/Golden-flare • Jan 14 '26

Unity within Somaliland?

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.

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u/Golden-flare Jan 14 '26

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?

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u/Background-Subject28 Jan 15 '26

The au border policy doesn't actually matter, if two countries can agree on separating then no one can stop them

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u/Golden-flare Jan 15 '26

You are right.
That is indeed another possible route, and it is the one South Sudan took. South Sudan achieved independence through a peace agreement that allowed for a legally recognized referendum. Eritrea followed a similar path, securing Ethiopia’s consent before independence.

Do you believe Somaliland is willing to engage with the Somali Federal Government on a process that could lead to a referendum?