Micronations and Somaliland Lecture Notes
Introduction to Micronations
- Micronations are territories or groups claiming to be countries but are not recognized.
- Examples include:
- The Free Republic of Liberland: Claims disputed riverbank between Croatia and Serbia.
- Westarctica: Claims large unclaimed land in Antarctica.
- Australia has several micronations.
- There is limited information on most micronations due to lack of substantial backing.
Somaliland: The Exception
- Considered a micronation but has the potential to be a real country.
- Located in the horn of Africa, technically part of Somalia.
Historical Context
- Colonial Era (1950s):
- The UK and Italy controlled different parts of Somalia.
- British were hands-off; Italians were more oppressive.
- Independence and Unification:
- Somaliland was briefly independent before uniting with Somalia in 1960.
- Union formed from culturally disconnected regions.
Clan Dynamics and Civil War
- Somalia consists of several clans, mostly in the south, often in conflict.
- Somaliland primarily composed of the Isaaq clan, providing stability.
- A secessionist militia led to Somaliland declaring independence in 1991.
Recognizing Countries
- Countries need to have:
- Independent government
- Defined territory
- Permanent population
- Somaliland meets these criteria:
- Has defined borders, permanent population (5.7 million), and stable government.
- Issues passports, has its currency, and maintains international contacts.
Lack of International Recognition
- Recognition depends on acknowledgment by other countries.
- Challenges:
- African Union and Arab League oppose recognizing Somaliland to preserve colonial borders.
- EU and Italy have economic interests influencing non-recognition.
- Potential change if Somaliland discovers oil.
Reading and Learning Recommendations
- Book: "Africa Is Not a Country" by Dipo Faloyin.
- Recommended via Audible for expanded learning on Africa's geopolitical realities.
Audible Promotion
- Benefits:
- Offers audiobooks and podcasts accessible anywhere.
- New members can try Audible free for 30 days.