Leiden University Student Repository

Veltman, Kasper (2021)

The De Facto Recognition Problem: Somaliland

Master thesis | International Relations (MA)

Abstract This thesis explores the theory of State Recognition and its limits. Using the case of Somaliland as an example to discuss the problems regarding de facto recognition. With the help of diplomatic documents from the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, it tries to build a case that de facto recognition is problematic and often only serves the state that initiates that de facto recognition, as ultimately, the observed behaviour does not seem to indicate that the analysed states consider Somaliland to be a non-state. In conclusion, it is suggested that the situation where a de facto state suffers from non-recognition, but in interactions gets treated as a fully functioning state, can be described as the de facto recognition problem.

Somaliland

State Recognition

Recognition

De facto Recognition

Somalia

Dutch Relations

United Kingdom Relations

Author

Veltman, Kasper

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Specialisation

Global Conflict in the Modern Era

Supervisors

Natermann, D.M.S.M.

ECTS Credits

15

Language

en