Issue No 610

Climate change is a global phenomenon impacting nations and communities around the world. Somaliland is a unique case in the context of Africa, in that it is one of the least CO2 contributing territories, yet one of the most vulnerable to climate crisis. In recent years, Somaliland has been experiencing rising temperatures, recurrent drought, flooding, climate-related health risks, and exodus from rural to urban areas. The fact that Somaliland is de jure unrecognized makes it extremely challenging to address a complex problem of this magnitude. Somaliland cannot directly participate in international forums or financial systems to get the support and funding it needs. Therefore, Somaliland requires special arrangements for climate financing to mitigate and adapt to growing crisis.
 
While Somaliland may lack recognition, however, the people of Somaliland and their governments have built effective institutions of governance. Since 1991, Somaliland has undergone a transformational journey including significant advances in security, political and economic development, and technology, notwithstanding ongoing challenges in the region. Throughout its evolution, Somaliland and its population have demonstrated exceptional resilience.

The Horn of Africa faces a multitude of climate-related challenges, including recurrent drought, erratic rainfall patterns, desertification and coastal erosion. These phenomena have had severe consequences for Somaliland's people, primarily dependent on agriculture and pastoralism for their livelihoods. Climate change has exacerbated food insecurity, water scarcity and displacement, pushing vulnerable communities further into poverty.

In Somaliland, prolonged droughts have increased in frequency over the last decades, resulting in crop failure and livestock loss. In areas where agriculture and livestock are the backbone of community livelihoods, droughts cause not only economic loss but severe threats to food security for local populations. Scarcity of water makes access to clean and safe drinking water a daily struggle. Unpredictable rainfall further compounds this hardship, disrupting planting seasons and imperilling crop yields, posing severe threats to food security.

The relentless encroachment of deserts into arable land has presented another significant challenge, further diminishing the already limited land available for agriculture and livestock grazing. This environmental degradation further worsens food insecurity and livelihood challenges for many local populations. It forces communities to adapt to changing conditions or migrate in search of more hospitable areas. In addition, Somaliland's coastline faces vulnerability to rising sea levels and extreme weather events, with coastal erosion displacing communities and causing the loss of valuable land. Households who have lived near the coast for generations are now being forced to abandon their homes, disrupting their lives and sources of income.

As climate change exacerbates resource scarcity, competition for diminishing resources intensifies. This competition often results in political conflicts, both within and between communities. Water, fertile land and grazing areas become increasingly valuable commodities; as people vie for access to them, tensions rise. These resource-related conflicts not only endanger lives but hinder social and economic development in Somaliland.

Somaliland remains one of the least developed territories in Africa, hence its CO2 contribution is very low. Despite this, climate change is worsening an already dire situation in which both rural and urban communities endure socio-economic challenges on a daily basis. Given Somaliland’s unresolved political status, its government cannot directly access climate financing or attend important regional and international forums where climate funding and policy coordination are discussed. This political and economic marginalization has real consequences for Somaliland’s people.
 
While international platforms often demand de jure recognition as a prerequisite for participation, Somaliland has demonstrated commendable governance and territorial stability. Long-standing peaceful coexistence and effective institution-building should be leveraged by international partners to include Somaliland to effectively address climate change in the region.

It is crucial that the international community recognize climate change as a global issue that transcends state boundaries. There is both a moral and a practical obligation to find innovative solutions for unrecognized territories like Somaliland, which are on the frontline of climate change impacts.

The international community must consider special mechanisms for climate financing in Somaliland and other territories that are de jure unrecognised. These could involve:

• Direct Climate Funding: Creating channels to reach Somaliland without requiring formal recognition.
• Technical Support: Providing technical expertise to help Somaliland develop climate resilience strategies and implement adaptation measures.
• Regional Collaborations: Encouraging regional collaborations in which Somaliland can participate in discussions and initiatives through partnerships with neighbouring countries.

Climate change is an urgent crisis that affects all of humanity, particularly those in the developing world. While Somaliland's political status may currently hinder international support, its climate challenges are real and pressing. The international community must recognize the need for special climate financing arrangements to assist Somaliland in building resilience, adapting to change, and securing a sustainable future. By doing so, we can all take more meaningful steps towards a more equitable and climate-resilient world where no nation or territory is left behind.