Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

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

The UK Government's position on recognition is consistent with the entire international community, which does not recognise Somaliland's unilateral declaration of independence. The UK Government considers that it is for Somaliland and the Federal Government of Somalia to come to any agreement about their future relationship. Any new arrangements would need to be recognised by the African Union and neighbours in the region. The UK continues to encourage dialogue between Mogadishu and Hargeisa on this issue.