BBC News Africa | Somaliland: 'the non-country' at the centre of a row - BBC Africa @BBCAfrica | Uploaded January 2024 | Updated October 2024, 2 days ago.
It has a president, holds regular elections, has an Army and even its own currency. On paper, Somaliland looks just like any ordinary country, but it’s not recognised as such by any other nation.

Somalia considers it an integral part of its territory and so does the African Union, although Somaliland declared its independence in 1991. All that could now change, as Ethiopia, its powerful – and landlocked – neighbour has struck a deal with Somaliland which would grant it access to a port in the Red Sea. One of the terms of this agreement could also see Somaliland recognised by the Ethiopians as a sovereign state.

The deal has caused a huge stir in Somalia, and even led to protests in the country, as well as a growing war of words between the two nations.

Presented by: Esther Kahumbi
Produced by: Bruno Garcez, Christine Otieno and Nadeem Shad
Filmed and edited by: Jenna Abaakouk
Maps and graphics: Ifiokabasi Ettang

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