Noun

Singular Somaliland

Plural -

Somaliland

1. A region of eastern Africa that comprises Somalia, Djibouti and parts of Ethiopia.
2. The unrecognized independent state - Jamhuuriyadda Soomaaliland.

Derived terms

• British Somaliland
• French Somaliland
• Italian Somaliland

Somaliland (Somali: Jamhuuriyadda Soomaaliland, Arabic: أرض الصومال‎ Arḍ aṣ-Ṣūmāl) is a state located in the Horn of Africa. It is regarded internationally as being an autonomous region of Somalia. Although no sovereign state has recognised the independence of Somaliland, Israel and other regional states have expressed this possibility. Since 1991 it has been governed by a secessionist administration as the Republic of Somaliland, which is considered a de facto independent state.

The breakaway republic, which declared its independence on May 18, 1991, remains unrecognised by any state or international organisation. Although many foreign governments maintain informal ties with the state, with an increasing number of foreign delegations and embassies having been established in the capital Hargeisa, it does not have full diplomatic recognition.

Somaliland is bordered by Ethiopia in the south and west, Djibouti in the northwest, the Gulf of Aden in the north, and by the Somalian region of Puntland in the east, covering most of the territory of the former British Somaliland protectorate.