Somalia vs Somaliland: A Long-Standing Dispute in the Horn of Africa
By salman | May 13, 2025 | Garissa News Introduction More than 30 years have passed since Somaliland declared independence from Somalia. Yet, the world continues to grapple with a key question: Is Somaliland an independent state or still part of Somalia? The dispute between Somalia and Somaliland is one of Africa’s most enduring conflicts—rooted in history, identity, and politics. As diplomatic efforts falter and regional tensions rise, both sides remain firmly entrenched in their positions. A Brief History: One Union, Two Paths Somaliland was once a British protectorate. It gained independence on June 26, 1960, before uniting with the Italian-administered south to form the Somali Republic on July 1, 1960. However, the union soon showed cracks. Many in Somaliland felt politically and economically marginalized. The tipping point came in the 1980s when the Siad Barre regime used brutal force to suppress northern dissent—culminating in the bombing of Hargeisa in 1988. In 1991, as Somalia ...