THE LEGAL CASE OF SOMALILAND
THE LEGAL CASE Historical case Somaliland’s claim for independence is based primarily on historical title – its separate colonial history, a brief period of independence in 1960, the fact that it voluntarily entered into its unhappy union with Somalia and the questionable legitimacy of the 1960 Act of Union. Somaliland’s independence restores the colonial borders of the former British Protectorate of Somaliland and therefore does not violate the principle of uti possidetis – that former colonial borders should be maintained upon independence – which is enshrined in the Consultative Act of the African Union. The separation of fused states into their former territories has precedents in Africa: Egypt and Syria were joined as the United Arab Republic (1958 – 1971). Senegal and Mali were united as the Fédération du Mali (1959 – 1960). Senegal and Gambia were merged in the Sénégambia Confederation (1982 – 1989). Eritrea officially separated from Ethiopia in 1993. Britain granted and recogn...
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