Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of granting Somaliland diplomatic recognition.

The UK is a leading partner of Somaliland, supporting its development, security, enhancing stability and promoting economic, human and social development.

Our policy remains that it is for Somaliland and the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) to come to an agreement about their future relationship. The African Union is the pre-eminent regional body mandated to defend the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of its Member States, of which Somalia is one. Any new arrangements would need to be recognised by the African Union and neighbours in the region. Unilateral recognition of independence by the UK would have implications for the UK approach to sovereignty more widely, and could exacerbate the Somalia conflict and increase regional tensions. We continue to support and encourage dialogue between the FGS and the Somaliland Government.