Recognizing Somaliland would be in Sweden’s Interest |
I respectfully urge the Government of Sweden to formally recognize the Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state within its 1960 borders.
The Republic of Somaliland is in the Horn of Africa, along the southern coast of the Gulf of Aden. Its borders are Djibouti to the northwest, Ethiopia to the south and west, and Somalia to the east. Somaliland covers an area of about 176,120 square kilometers and has an estimated population of 6.2 million as of 2024. Its capital is Hargeisa. The country has a coastline of approximately 850 kilometers on the Red Sea.
Somaliland became a British Protectorate in 1884 and declared independence on June 26, 1960, gaining recognition from thirty-five countries. Soon after, it voluntarily united with Somalia to form the Somali Republic, though this union was never legally ratified. In a 1961 referendum, most Somalilanders opposed unification. The absence of a binding treaty and years of political and economic marginalization led to ongoing grievances in Somaliland.
The situation became intolerable in the 1980s under the oppressive regime of Siad Barre, which was marked by egregious human rights violations. Thousands of civilians were killed, particularly in Hargeisa, which tragically earned the nickname “Africa’s Dresden” for the level of destruction inflicted upon it. Entire communities were massacred, and a massive portion of the population was forced to seek refuge in neighboring Ethiopia. In May 1991, Somaliland reasserted its independence during the Burao Conference.
Since reclaiming its independence in 1991, Somaliland has made remarkable progress in establishing a functioning democracy characterized by peaceful transitions of power. The nation has developed its own independent judiciary, a bicameral parliament, and a stable executive branch capable of governance. Moreover, Somaliland has created a robust security apparatus that not only maintains territorial integrity but has also successfully kept extremist insurgencies, including Al-Shabaab, at bay. This commitment to stability and governance has earned Somaliland the........