Liv
Latricia
Habel

In the shadow of global attention and in a region, where democracy is in decline, Somaliland – an unrecognized state – challenges the norms of democracy. On November 13th 2024, Somaliland held its fourth democratic presidential election, despite political and economic constraints. Opposition leader Abdirahman Mohamed Abdulahi “Cirro” claimed victory with 64% of the vote, marking a pivotal moment in the nation's history. 

Somaliland declared its independence from Somalia in 1991 and has since operated as a de facto state, maintaining a parliamentary democracy as an enclave surrounded by authoritarian neighboring countries. With a strategic geopolitical location and a democratic tradition that defies regional norms, Somaliland forces us to ask: What does democracy truly mean when it exists outside of international recognition?