Somaliland

The former British Somaliland Protectorate achieved full independence from the United Kingdom in June 1960. However it voluntarily joined Somalia to form the Somali Republic. Somaliland restored its independence in 1991 after the collapse of Somalia as a result of the civil war. Since then it has established and sustained peace and stability. It remains a self-declared sovereign state with a democratic elected government. After more than 20 years of peace and democracy it is still seeking for international recognition. Therefore Somaliland offers an authentic and one-of-a-kind experience in a breakaway state which isn’t officially recognized.

Somaliland: Country profile

Population: 3.6 million

Surface area: 176,120 km²

Livestock population: Around 20 million

Somaliland has about 1.69 million camels, 0.40 million head of cattle, 8.4 million goats and 8.75 million sheep in 2011. The Sool, Sanaag and Togdheer regions account for about 75% of all livestock.

Livestock is currently the leading economic sector in all of Somaliland. Livestock production accounts for 60-65% of the gross domestic product (GDP). In the last few years communities in Somaliland are experiencing the drastic effects of the current drought that is ravaging the region. Water, food and pasture are fast depleting. Nomadic pastoralist in parts of Somaliland who depend on livestock for their living have suffered huge losses due to death of livestock. Nomads are known to live in the rural area and in many years they have survived in these harsh conditions for generations, but for the first time, they are facing an uncertain future due to the consecutive drought. Their ability to pack up and move livestock to better grazing pastures would normally give them a major advantage over other farmers. But the unprecedented drought has caused most, if not all of their camels, sheep and goats to die and, with them, their livelihoods.