HiLiN

This paper explores the intricate dynamics of secession and unification in Somalia. In 1991, Somaliland seceded from the rest of Somalia and established its own governance structures. In doing so, it achieved relative peace and stability, but its goal of attaining international recognition remains unfulfilled. This is partly because successive Somali governments have often used their internationally sanctioned juridical power to uphold territorial integrity. Over the years, negotiations between the two sides have been marked by a cycle of stalled and restarted talks, with both parties entering discussions from deeply entrenched positions defined by mutual antagonism and reluctance to engage meaningfully. Through interviews with key informants and focus group discussions, this paper argues that the political elites’ unwillingness to pursue constructive dialogue is rooted in exclusionary state-making processes and practices within their respective territories. These processes and practices have created radicalized political environments, shaped by and shaping the opportunistic behavior of elites, making the prospect of a long-term resolution increasingly complex.