Double Standards: Somaliland and Northern Cyprus in Turkey’s Geopolitical Strategy

The cases of Somaliland and Northern Cyprus (TRNC) illustrate the complexities of de facto statehood and the challenges of international recognition. Both entities operate as independent nations with their own governments, militaries, and currencies, yet they remain largely unrecognized by the global community.

Somaliland: Restoration of Sovereignty

Somaliland’s quest for independence is rooted in the restoration of sovereignty. Briefly independent in 1960, it joined Italian Somalia to form the Somali Republic. The movement for separation intensified in the 1980s, driven by resistance to Siad Barre’s dictatorship. The Somali National Movement (SNM) led a civil war that resulted in the collapse of Somalia’s central government. In 1991, Somaliland declared the dissolution of the union at the Grand Conference in Burao.

Somaliland is recognized for its grassroots democratic governance, utilizing traditional clan reconciliation (the Xeer system) to build a modern state with a multi-party system and regular elections. Its stability and security are notable, especially compared to Mogadishu. In December 2025, Israel became the first United Nations member to officially recognize Somaliland. The region maintains its own passport,........

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