Why Somalia hates Somaliland
The animosity between Somalia and Somaliland stems from a complex mix of historical, political, economic, and sovereignty issues, as documented in the search results. Below is a detailed analysis of the key reasons:
### โ๏ธ 1. **Historical Grievances and Failed Union**
– **Forced Integration and Marginalization**: Somaliland (formerly British Somaliland) merged with Italian Somalia in 1960 to form the Somali Republic. However, the union quickly became contentious. Somaliland felt politically and economically marginalized by the southern-dominated government in Mogadishu, which centralized power and resources .
– **State-Sponsored Violence**: During Siad Barre’s dictatorship (1969โ1991), Somaliland suffered brutal repression. Barre’s forces bombed Hargeisa (Somaliland’s capital), killing tens of thousands and displacing over a million people. This period is remembered as a genocide against Somaliland’s Isaaq clan, fueling demands for independence .
### ๐ก๏ธ 2. **Sovereignty and Secession Dispute**
– **Unilateral Declaration of Independence**: In 1991, Somaliland declared independence after overthrowing Barre, citing historical sovereignty (it was independent for 5 days in 1960) and the right to self-determination due to Somalia’s collapse. However, Somalia and the international community reject this, viewing Somaliland as a “breakaway region” rather than a sovereign state .
– **African Union’s Stance**: The AU fears recognizing Somaliland would encourage other secessionist movements (e.g., Biafra in Nigeria), undermining the post-colonial principle of fixed borders. This has pressured Somalia to resist compromise .
### ๐ฐ 3. **Economic and Strategic Rivalry**
– **Resource Control**: Somaliland has pursued independent economic policies, signing high-profile deals like the 2016 Berbera port agreement with the UAE and DP World. In 2024, it leased coastline access to Ethiopia for commercial/military use in exchange for potential recognition. Somalia condemns these as violations of its sovereignty and revenue theft .
– **Economic Disparities**: Despite extreme poverty (GDP per capita: ~$348), Somaliland has relative stability and democratic elections, contrasting with Somalia’s fragility. This success threatens Mogadishu’s legitimacy and fuels resentment .
### ๐ 4. **Diplomatic and Identity Tensions**
– **Clan and Identity Divisions**: Somaliland’s population is predominantly Isaaq, while Somalia is more clan-diverse. Somalilanders emphasize their distinct colonial history and democratic institutions, framing independence as restorative justice. Somalia views this as clan-based separatism .
– **International Engagement**: While no country recognizes Somaliland, entities like the EU observe its elections, and Ethiopia maintains a liaison office in Hargeisa. Somalia perceives this as erosion of its sovereignty and lobbies against Somaliland’s foreign ties .
### ๐ฎ 5. **Failed Reconciliation Efforts**
– **Stalled Talks**: Negotiations mediated by Djibouti (2023) collapsed after Somaliland’s Ethiopia port deal. Somalia insists on “one Somalia,” while Somaliland demands recognition as a precondition for talks. Historical abuses and Somaliland’s trauma make compromise emotionally charged .
### Key Perspectives from Scholars
Pan-Africanist scholar Ali Mazrui argued that Somaliland’s independence is justified due to “spousal abuse” (Somalia’s violence). He likened it to Bangladesh’s separation from Pakistan and urged Somaliland to seek Commonwealth membership to bolster legitimacy .
### ๐ In summary
Somalia’s stance is rooted in **sovereignty preservation**, **fear of continental instability**, and **historical denial of Somaliland’s grievances**. Somaliland counters with **self-determination rights**, **democratic legitimacy**, and **historical trauma**. The deadlock persists, with Somaliland building de facto statehood while Somalia leverages international norms to block recognition .
Abdi Dahir ( political expert )
