PETITION: Recognise Somaliland
Goal: 10,000 signatures
It’s time for Western governments to recognise Somaliland as a sovereign state. Somaliland is one of the world’s most successful unrecognised nations and for more than 30 years, it has managed to operate as a peaceful, democratic and stable state; yet it remains ignored by most of the international community. While failed states and extremist-backed entities receive diplomatic recognition, Somaliland does not. This petition calls on Western governments to correct that failure.
What Is Somaliland?
Somaliland is a self-governing region in the Horn of Africa that declared independence from Somalia in 1991, following the collapse of the Somali state. Historically, Somaliland was a British protectorate until 1960. After a brief period of independence, it entered into a voluntary union with Somalia … a union that ultimately failed, leading to dictatorship, civil war and state collapse in the south.
When Somalia descended into chaos, Somaliland chose a different path.
A Record That Speaks for Itself
Despite lacking international recognition, Somaliland has built and sustained:
✅ A constitutional system of government
✅ Regular, competitive elections
✅ Peaceful transfers of power
✅ Independent institutions
✅ Rule of law and internal security
✅ Relative peace in a volatile region
For decades, Somaliland has functioned as a de facto state, meeting the core criteria of statehood under international law: territory, population, governance and capacity to engage internationally. Its political culture reflects the influence of British legal and administrative traditions, with an emphasis on civic institutions, accountability and stability.
Why Recognition Matters
Recognition is not symbolic and it has real consequences. Without recognition, Somaliland is denied:
❌️ Formal diplomatic relations
❌️ Access to international finance and development institutions
❌️ Security partnerships and trade agreements
This undermines a proven democratic society while rewarding dysfunction elsewhere. If Western governments claim to support democracy, stability, and the rule of law, those values must be applied consistently … including in Africa.
Following Israel’s Lead
Israel has taken the step of recognising Somaliland as a sovereign state, acknowledging political reality rather than ideological pressure. This petition urges other Western democracies, including Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and members of the European Union, to follow that lead.
Recognising Somaliland would:
🗳️ Reward democratic success
🌐 Strengthen regional stability
🤝 Support a reliable partner in a strategically important region
🛡️ Provide an additional partner in fighting radical Islamism in the region
⚖️ Reinforce Western values in practice, not rhetoric
This petition calls on Western governments to:
✔️ Formally recognise Somaliland as a sovereign state
🔗 Establish diplomatic relations
🏛️ Support its inclusion in international institutions
If democratic success deserves recognition, then Somaliland deserves recognition.
