Officially known as the Republic of Somaliland, it is a self-declared state and recognised internationally as an autonomous region of Somalia. The government of Somaliland regards itself as the successor state to the former British Somaliland protectorate which, after a brief independence period, united with the Trust Territory of Somaliland (formerly Italian Somaliland) to form the Somali Republic.

The disputed territory is governed by a democratically-elected government that self-proclaims its independence. However, Somaliland is not recognised by any country or international organisation as an independent country of Africa.