The former British colony of British Somaliland. At independence the territory was united with the former Italian colony. However, the people voted against the merger and the Constitution of the merged state.

For many years the united state seemed to be successful, mainly because it received lots of military aid, first from the Soviet Union as a counter to American presence in Ethiopia, then from the Americans when the Ethiopian revolution brought in the Soviet Union. However, eventually both Cold War sides abandoned Somalia and the regime became an undisguised tyranny.

It was badly affected by the Siad Barre regime whose troops attacked towns and left them in ruins, bombing Hargeisa from the air.

The clans of the area proclaimed it in 1991 as an independent republic and wish to secede from the rest of the country, the former Italian colony.

Can it get recognition from the rest of the world? So far the UN seems to be committed to keeping Somalia as one country. However, reports say that the government has disarmed the warring clans and that it is much more peaceful than the south where the UN's activities were not obviously a success. The African Union refuses to recognise the country, fearing other secessions throughout Africa.

Possibly, if the Transitional Federal Government re-establishes government in Somalia itself, Somaliland might be persuaded to rejoin. At present this is very speculative.

Three successive presidents have been democratically elected. Consultative assembly and council of elders.

Unlike in Somalia there is a functioning government.

Parliamentary elections hapened  in 2005 as succefully.

The economy is undermined by consumption of Qat - an amphetamine drug from Ethiopia.

Main income is from people working overseas, and from export of livestock. However, the main market for meat was Saudi Arabia which has banned imports since 1998, alleging disease. The livestock trade has collapsed.

But the country can't get loans from international organisations, as it is not recognised.

Languages

Somali

English

Currency unit

Somaliland shilling

Capital

Hargeisa

Flag

by: abdikarim samir