By Dr. Mohammad A. Omar
Today, sixty-five years ago, on June 26, 1960, the people of Somaliland raised a free flag in the skies over Hargeisa, the birth place of the first independent Somaliland republic recognized by over 30 countries. Both Somalia and Kenya were under colonial administration at that time. But after a short period. the new independent Somaliland merged, in a volunatry union, with Somalia when it got its independence from Italy on July 1 in the that year, with the aim of uniting all Somali populated areas in the Horn and East Africa – a goal that history proved to be unattainable.
Although that independence lasted short after the merger, it was not extinguished. In 1991—amidst the collapse of the Somali state—Somaliland reclaimed its sovereignty with clarity, peace, and purpose. Today, we mark a dual legacy: one of historic independence and one of modern endurance.
Over the past three decades, Somaliland has defied the odds. In a region often associated with protracted conflicts and fragile governance, Somaliland has written an altogether different narrative—of grassroots reconciliation, bottom-up institution building, and democratic resilience. It has conducted inclusive national reconciliation process, , inaugurated successive governments through the ballot box, and weathered economic and security storms with remarkable stoicism.
Democracy in Somaliland is not performative—it is participatory. Somaliland has held multiple presidential, parliamentary, and local council elections, and experienced peaceful transfers of power. Our national identity card and voting system is biometric. Our courts function independently. Our civil society is vigilant. While imperfections remains, as they do in any maturing democracy, our commitment to reform is resolute and visible.
Economically, Somaliland has laid the groundwork for transformation. Berbera Port, once a relic of colonial geopolitics, has become a cornerstone of regional connectivity. The Berbera Corridor now links the Red Sea to the heart of the Horn of Africa, offering Ethiopia and other landlocked nations a new lifeline to global trade. Livestock exports continue to sustain rural livelihoods, while diaspora investment has revitalized education, technology, and health sectors.
Diplomatically, the case for Somaliland’s recognition grows more persuasive. Our stability contributes to maritime security in the Gulf of Aden. Our cooperation with international partners has helped deter terrorism and human trafficking along strategic sea lanes. And our governance model offers a tangible example that local ownership can yield national legitimacy.
Yet, recognition remains elusive—not because Somaliland has failed to meet the criteria of statehood, but because the international community remains trapped in the inertia of outdated frameworks. It is time to recalibrate that thinking. A rules-based international order must also reward those who build peace from the ground up.
As we commemorate Somaliland’s 65th year of independence, we do so with pride, but not complacency. The task ahead is to consolidate what we’ve built, reach across borders with humility and purpose, and continue proving—by action more than argument—that Somaliland is not just a place apart, but a partner worth having.
Somaliland may be unrecognized, but it is not invisible. And as history has shown, dignity rooted in self-determination cannot be denied forever.