The Viability of Somaliland: Internal Constraints and Regional Geopolitics Asteris Huliaras Throughout the Cold War, secession was taboo in the state-centric international system. However, the breakup of the Soviet Union, Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia, the independence of Eritrea and East Timor as well as recent developments in Kosovo seemed to weaken the principle of inviolable state boundaries. From one point of view, these events may have far-reaching repercussions for Africa where borders are generally considered to be more arbitrary than elsewhere (Herbst 1989). And no other area in Africa is closer to secession than the northern region of Somalia — an area whose boundaries largely correspond to the former British Protectorate of Somaliland. (The British and Italian colonies of Somaliland be- came the Republic of Somalia in 1960.) In 1991, the northern region of Somalia declared its independence from a state that was collapsing into chaos. Thus, a regional administration (retaining the name ‘Somaliland’) has in the last decade overseen the creation of a modest state structure, a safe environment and a revitalised commercial economy. This con- trasts sharply with the anarchy that characterises the south. However, Somaliland has failed to achieve international recognition as a separate state. This paper examines the viability of Somaliland as an independent entity by analysing three important factors influencing the prospects for its continuing existence and also attempts to define the success of its efforts for international recognition: first, economic viability; secondly, the viability of its political insti- tutions; and thirdly, the international environment, including the prospects for reconstitution of political order in the southern part of Somalia. Nation-Formation and the Declaration of Independence The majority of the people of Somaliland have developed a sense of identity distinct from the rest of Somalis; a sense of identity mainly based on kinship and shared historical experiences. More specifically, four factors played a crucial role in the formation of this identity. Firstly, a distinct clan dominates the region: all Somalis belong to one ethnic group, Journal of Contemporary African Studies, 20, 2, 2002 ISSN 0258-9001 print / ISSN 1469-9397 online/02/020157-26 © 2002 Journal of Contemporary African Studies DOI: 10.1080 / 025890002200000515 1