ABSTRACT
Chapter Four examines the development of the Republic of Somaliland’s state identity, and assesses its normative standing. The formation of Somaliland’s corporate identity is considered, a rich foundation for understanding its type identity as a unique democracy and its role identity as a regional stabiliser that is held hostage to a failed state. The chapter then demonstrates how the development of these identities has in turn shaped, and in part constituted, Somaliland’s recognition narrative. These elements are drawn together to examine Somaliland’s normative standing, uncovering how its identity complex is currently contributing to the status quo bias of international society, a process which, in turn, is bolstering the stasis in the relationship between the former and the latter.
