- Whereas the Republic of Somaliland attained full independence from Britain on 26 June 1960 following a successful and peaceful civil movement;
- Whereas Britain declared that any potential union between Somaliland and Somalia was to be negotiated and agreed upon solely by the respective states, without interference from third parties;
- Whereas Somaliland’s Act of Union, meant to formalize the union with Somalia, was rejected by Somalia’s legislature, leaving no legal basis for a legitimate union between the two countries;
- Whereas the subsequent inclusion of Somaliland into Somalia through the 1961 constitution and a contested referendum was imposed by coercion and force, despite a boycott and rejection of the referendum in Somaliland territories;
- Whereas Somaliland military personnel were exonerated by Somali courts in 1961 following an attempted coup, reflecting the lack of unity between the two countries;
- Having established that Somaliland has been a sovereign state for a longer period than it was subjected to the illegal status under Somalia;
- Emphasizing the inviolability of Somaliland’s sovereignty and territorial integrity as established upon independence in 1960, which cannot be altered by illegal or coercive means;
- Recalling the principle of ex injuria jus non oritur (“illegal acts do not create law”), underscoring that recognition of Somalia undermining Somaliland’s independence in 1960 cannot be legitimized under international law;
- Taking Note of the African Union fact-finding mission 2005, which confirmed that the act of union between Somaliland and Somalia was never legally ratified, further affirming the illegality of the union;
- recognising that the African Union’s findings emphasized that Somaliland’s case does not set a precedent for other secessionist movements in Africa;
- Affirming the Burao Conference Declaration of 1991, which should be understood as a restoration of Somaliland’s sovereignty and not as a declaration of secession;
- Drawing Parallels with the Baltic states’ historical circumstances, where unilateral and illegal incorporation into the Soviet Union was ultimately recognised as a violation of state continuity, leading to restoration rather than secession;
Declaration
Now, therefore, we hereby solemnly declare that:
- The Republic of Somaliland has been independent with full territorial integrity since 26 June 1960.
- Somaliland’s territorial integrity was established before Somalia’s territorial integrity.
- Any Act of Union between Somaliland and Somalia is null and void.
- recognising Somaliland does not change the independent borders of Africa as per the 1964 resolution by the OAU.
- All declarations or initiatives made by Somaliland officials or institutions since 1991 represent the restoration of the state’s sovereignty, not a declaration of new independence.
- Somaliland is not a case of secession but of state continuity, consistent with principles upheld in international law, including precedents such as the recognition of the Baltic states.
Closing Remarks
Somaliland is more than a country; it is a model for democracy and freedom of speech in Africa, Arabia, and the Muslim world. Our peaceful elections reflect our commitment to governance rooted in fairness, transparency, and accountability—not as a plea for recognition. While we respect every nation’s choice of governance, we emphasize the extraordinary efforts we make to ensure free and fair elections, fostering stability and attracting investment.
However, the lack of recognition hinders progress, deterring investors and perpetuating misunderstandings about our history. This declaration clarifies that Somaliland’s independence is continuous and rightful, and we invite the world to recognise Somaliland on the basis of its continuous independence since 1960.
Declared this day, 26 Nov 2024, in Hargeisa, Republic of Somaliland.