Somaliland: A critique of International Non-Governmental Organization (INGO)-led Development

Somaliland, situated in the northwest corner of the horn of Africa, has a past shaped by foreign rule and by conflict. Not internationally recognized as a country, it has been treated officially as an autonomous region within Somalia. Since 1991, when Somaliland unilaterally declared independence, international organizations and International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs) have played a major role in the rebuilding and development of the country. Because it is not recognized as an independent state, Somaliland is unable to access international loans and hence relies heavily on development aid from international partners.
This paper examines the role of INGOs and critiques INGO-led development in Somaliland. It uses international development theories, encompassing various approaches from the pre-colonial era to the present. The history of Somaliland is explored during the British colonial era, tracing its trajectory from clan dynamics and civil war to the declaration of independence and the subsequent involvement of local and international NGOs. The paper focuses on funding mechanisms, priorities, and the diaspora’s role in the nation’s development to present the limitations of INGO-led development models.
In this paper I examine the Somaliland Vision 2030 and the three National Development Plans (2011-2027). I address irregular youth migration (tahriib) and investigate agreements with the UAE and Taiwan with the introduction of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).