# State of Somaliland

> former sovereign state in Africa

**Wikidata**: [Q1106857](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1106857)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_of_Somaliland)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/state-of-somaliland

## Summary
The State of Somaliland was a short-lived sovereign state in Africa that existed for five days in 1960. It gained independence from the British Somaliland protectorate on June 26, 1960, and voluntarily united with the Trust Territory of Somaliland on July 1, 1960, to form the Somali Republic.

## Key Facts
- **Inception**: June 26, 1960.
- **Dissolution**: July 1, 1960.
- **Duration**: 5 days.
- **Capital**: Hargeisa.
- **Official Language**: Somali.
- **Head of State**: Muhammad Haji Ibrahim Egal (President).
- **Predecessor**: British Somaliland (former British protectorate).
- **Successor**: Somali Republic.
- **Classification**: Historical country, sovereign state, country.
- **Location**: Africa.
- **Flag**: Flag of State of Somaliland.svg.
- **Wikidata ID**: Q34754 (associated country entity).

## FAQs
**How long did the State of Somaliland exist?**
The State of Somaliland existed for a brief period of five days, gaining independence on June 26, 1960, and uniting with the south on July 1, 1960.

**Who was the president of the State of Somaliland?**
Muhammad Haji Ibrahim Egal served as the President of the State of Somaliland during its brief existence in 1960.

**What is the difference between the State of Somaliland and modern Somaliland?**
The State of Somaliland was a recognized sovereign state in 1960 that united to form Somalia, whereas modern Somaliland is a self-declared de facto state that separated from Somalia in 1991 and seeks international recognition.

**What country did the State of Somaliland become?**
It merged with the Trust Territory of Somaliland to form the Somali Republic, which later became the modern sovereign state of Somalia.

**What was the capital of the State of Somaliland?**
The capital city was Hargeisa, which remains the capital of the modern de facto state of Somaliland.

## Why It Matters
The State of Somaliland holds historical significance as the legal entity that marked the transition from colonial rule to independence for the former British protectorate. Its brief existence represents the fulfillment of the right to self-determination for the people of the region in 1960. The state's voluntary union with the south to create the Somali Republic is a foundational event in the history of the Horn of Africa. Furthermore, the legacy of this sovereign state is central to the modern political discourse of Somaliland, as the current de facto government bases its claim for separate recognition on the argument that it was initially an independent state that entered a union which later collapsed.

## Notable For
- **Shortest Sovereign State Duration**: Maintained independence for only five days before unification.
- **First President**: Muhammad Haji Ibrahim Egal, who would later become a significant political figure in the region.
- **Immediate Unification**: Transitioned directly from an independent sovereign state to a part of a larger republic (Somali Republic) without a prolonged period of standalone governance.
- **Historical Precedent**: Serves as the historical legal basis for the modern self-declared Republic of Somaliland's pursuit of recognition.

## Body

### History and Formation
The State of Somaliland was established on June 26, 1960, following the dissolution of the British Somaliland protectorate. This protectorate had been under British control since its inception on January 1, 1884. Upon gaining independence, the State of Somaliland was recognized as a sovereign state, possessing the highest authority over its territory. However, its sovereignty was short-lived, as the state dissolved on July 1, 1960, when it united with the Trust Territory of Somaliland (formerly Italian Somaliland) to form the Somali Republic.

### Governance and Politics
As a sovereign state, the State of Somaliland had the power to govern itself and conduct foreign policy independently. It maintained its own legal system during its five-day existence. The head of state was Muhammad Haji Ibrahim Egal, who served as President. The official language of the state was Somali, reflecting the ethnic and linguistic identity of the population. The capital city was Hargeisa, which served as the administrative center.

### Geography and Location
The State of Somaliland was located on the continent of Africa, specifically in the Horn of Africa region. It shared geographic continuity with the former British Somaliland protectorate. Its territory included the city of Hargeisa and bordered Ethiopia, Djibouti, and the Gulf of Aden. The geographic coordinates and area corresponded to the northern region of what is now internationally recognized as Somalia.

### Succession and Legacy
The State of Somaliland was succeeded by the Somali Republic, a newly independent state formed in 1960. This union was formalized to create a unified Somali state encompassing both the former British and Italian territories. The Somali Republic eventually evolved into the modern sovereign state of Somalia. The State of Somaliland is classified as a "historical country," distinct from the modern "Somaliland" entity, which is a de facto state that declared independence from Somalia in 1991. Despite the lack of international recognition for the modern entity, the history of the State of Somaliland remains a key element of the region's political identity.

### Classification and Status
The entity is classified under several categories: it is a "historical country," a "country," and a "sovereign state." These classifications denote its status as an independent political entity during its existence. It is distinct from the "de facto state" classification applied to the modern Somaliland region. The State of Somaliland is documented in various knowledge bases and historical records, including the Encyclopædia Britannica, as a pivotal step in the formation of the Somali nation-state.

### Symbols and Identifiers
During its brief existence, the State of Somaliland utilized specific state symbols. Its flag is represented as the "Flag of State of Somaliland.svg." The entity is also associated with the orthographic projection map "State of Somaliland (orthographic projection).svg." In structured data and knowledge graphs, it is identified by specific properties, including its inception date, dissolution date, and its relationship to successor states like the Somali Republic.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013