FDD's Foreign Podicy Recognizing Somaliland
Jan 3, 2026
Bashir Goth, Somaliland's U.S. representative and seasoned journalist, teams up with Michael Rubin, a Middle East analyst, to explore Somaliland's quest for international recognition. They delve into its tumultuous history, including the impact of colonial divisions and the effects of past conflicts. The guests dissect Israel's recent recognition of Somaliland, highlighting geopolitical tensions in the Horn of Africa and its strategic importance. They also touch on democratic achievements, tech growth, and the broader implications for U.S. foreign policy in the region.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Somaliland Is A Durable De Facto State
- Somaliland has functioned as an independent, stable, Muslim republic for over three decades despite lacking wide recognition.
- Israel's recent recognition highlights a growing alignment of strategic and democratic interests in the Horn of Africa.
1960 Independence, 1991 Restoration
- Somaliland was briefly independent in June 1960 and then merged with Italian Somaliland days later to form Somalia.
- In 1991 Somaliland reasserted its independence after Somalia's central government collapsed and large-scale atrocities against its people.
Genocide Shaped Somaliland's Break
- Mohamed Siad Barre's regime committed widespread atrocities against Somaliland's predominant clan, contributing to the break with Mogadishu.
- That violence is a central moral and historical justification for Somaliland's independence claim.
