This series explores the resilience of Somalilands democracy, juxtaposing its populations aspirations for international recognition with the nations de facto statehood.

Somaliland declared its independence from Somalia in 1991 and has ever since operated as a de facto state, maintaining a parliamentary democracy as an enclave surrounded by authoritarian neighboring countries. On November 13th 2024, Somaliland held its fourth democratic presidential election, which the people of the small East African de facto state were eager to parttake in.

With a strategic geopolitical location and commitment to democracy, Somaliland challenges us to reconsider the meaning of nationhood. What is democracy 8when it thrives without recognition? What is sovereignty when it is practiced but not acknowledged? And who gets to decide which states count - and which do not?