Relations between Somali Regional State and Somaliland, 2010 - 2019

An analysis of evolving relations between Ethiopia’s Somali Regional State and the neighbouring, self-declared Republic of Somaliland

Abstract

This research memo provides a snapshot analysis of evolving relations between Ethiopia’s Somali Regional State (SRS) and the neighbouring, self-declared Republic of Somaliland This relation has significant geopolitical relevance given security dynamics in the Somali inhabited territories of the region as well as ongoing efforts to facilitate Ethiopian access to the Gulf of Aden via the Berbera corridor. Relations between the SRS and Somaliland are informed both by historical events as much as recent political shifts in Ethiopia, in particular the downfall of former SRS president Abdi Mohamed Omar ‘Iley’ in August 2018. The SRS is one of Ethiopia’s ethnically defined regional states. It is predominantly inhabited by ethnic Somalis and shares a long border with Somaliland.

This work is part of the Conflict Research Programme managed by the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and funded by the UK Department for International Development

Citation

Mustafe Mohamed Abdi and Tobias Hagmann (2020) Relations between Somali Regional State and Somaliland, 2010-2019. Conflict Research Programme Policy Memo. Conflict Research Programme, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK.

Relations between Somali Regional State and Somaliland, 2010 - 2019 (PDF, 156KB)

Published 1 February 2020