Yossi Schwartz ISL (RCIT section in Israel/Occupied Palestine) 28.12.2025
Somaliland is located in the Horn of Africa, north of Somalia. Revolutionary Marxists recognize and support only the struggle for the right of self-determination of oppressed peoples as part of the struggle against imperialism. We do not support the creation of states formed to serve the imperialists.
Marx and Engels already addressed this issue in relation to the South Slavs. The attitude of Marx and Engels towards the South Slavic problem was conditioned by a curious deviation in the evolution of Slavic nationalism; for in the rise of nationalism amongst the Slavs, the accepted thesis of the liberal nineteenth-century reformers that democracy and nationalism necessarily go hand in hand was seemingly disproved. This arose from the fact that the Slavic nationalities were so situated, especially in the Habsburg monarchy, that they preferred, for purely nationalistic reasons, to align themselves with the forces of the reaction (especially Russia) in 1848 rather than with the revolutionary, democratic movement
As Engels declared: “We repeat: apart from the Poles, the Russians, and at most the Turkish Slavs, no Slav people have a future, for the simple reason that all the other Slavs lack the primary historical, geographical, political and industrial conditions for independence and viability.”[i]
Engels adopted the Hegelian theory of ‘non-historic peoples’ to describe the Austrian Slavs, writing the following:
“Peoples which have never had a history of their own, which come under foreign domination the moment they have achieved the first, crudest level of civilization … have no capacity for survival and will never be able to attain any independence. And that has been the fate of the Austrian Slavs.”[ii]
Somalilanders are culturally and ethnically distinct within the broader Somali context, mainly due to their history as a former British protectorate, their primary Isaaq clan, unique Islamic traditions, and a strong, unified identity forged through their self-declared independence and self-governance, which has created a distinct national narrative from that of southern Somalia. While all Somalis share Cushitic roots, language, and Sunni Islam, Somaliland’s Isaaq-dominated society has developed unique cultural practices and institutions that distinguish it from the clans prevalent in the south.
Somaliland was a British colony, whereas southern Somalia was under Italian rule, resulting in distinct administrative and cultural influences.
The dominant clan in Somaliland is the Isaaq, which differs from the major clans in the south (e.g., Hawiye, Darod, Rahanweyn) and influences their political and social identities.
Somaliland has a strong, unified identity as a self-declared, independent state (since 1991), with its own government, currency, and security, fostering a distinct national consciousness.
Shared Somali traditions such as hospitality, communalism, and nomadic heritage are evident, but Somaliland’s culture has evolved in unique ways, including distinctive artistic expressions and Islamic interpretations.
In essence, while ethnically and linguistically Somali, the people of Somaliland have developed a unique cultural and political identity, setting them apart from their southern counterparts.
Yet we cannot support the recognition of Somaliland.
As of 26 December 2025, Israel is the only United Nations member state that recognizes the Republic of Somaliland as an independent sovereign state, although some news reports indicate that South Sudan may follow Israel’s lead and do the same. The Israeli prime minister’s office stated that the declaration was “in the spirit” of the Abraham Accords, which is a good reason to oppose recognition of Somaliland as an independent state. Somalia’s foreign ministry said in a statement that the decision was a “deliberate attack” on its sovereignty that would undermine peace in the region, a sentiment echoed by the African Union (AU).
“The AU said it “firmly rejects” Israel’s move, warning: “Any attempt to undermine the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Somalia … risks setting a dangerous precedent with far-reaching implications for peace and stability across the continent[iii]”. Such an instability will serve the Israeli military industry.
American and Israeli sources have said in the past that the United States and Israel have approached Somaliland to discuss the transfer of displaced Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to its territory as part of the new Nakba plan.
In March, the Associated Press reported that the United States and Israel had approached senior government officials in Sudan, Somalia, and Somaliland in Africa to discuss the transfer of displaced persons from Gaza to their territory, as part of US President Donald Trump’s plan for the day after the war.
Egypt announced that its foreign minister had spoken with his counterparts from Turkey, Djibouti, and Somalia about the move, which was described as a “dangerous development.” Somaliland is a political entity that seceded from Somalia more than 30 years ago but is not recognized by the international community as an independent state. Somalia sees Somaliland as part of its territory. According to Reuters, Israel is the first United Nations member state to recognize Somaliland.
Somalia later issued a statement rejecting any proposal that would undermine the right of the Palestinian people to live in their homeland.
According to foreign media reports, Israel has expressed interest in using the territory of Somaliland to attack the Houthis in Yemen, due to the geographical proximity between the two countries. This is another reason to oppose this recognition.
If Hegel and Engels used the theory of people without history, there is a place to use the theory of a people without a future that applies to the Israelis, who can achieve only civil rights in a democratic socialist Palestine from the river to the sea.
Endnotes:
[i] F. Engels Neue Rheinische Zeitung No. 222 Translated by the Marx-Engels Institute
[ii] F. Engels ‘ Democratic Pan-Slavism, February 1849.
[iii] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/26/israel-first-country-to-recognise-somaliland-sovereign-state