Somaliland marks 25 years of quest for independence

Somalia’s self declared breakaway state of Somaliland is marking 25 years of self-declared independence from Somalia.

The celebrations which started last night also saw heightened security in various parts of the region including the capital Hargeisa.

Celebrations were held in the capital, Hargeisa, on Tuesday night, with people holding rallies, waving flags from their vehicles and staging shows in various stadiums.

Heads of the government of Somaliland including president, Ahmed Silanyo have attended the public celebrations.

President Silanyo congratulated the people of Somaliland in their efforts to building the state and efforts for self determination.

Somaliland, which is more tribally homogeneous than the rest of Somalia, has been striving for international recognition since it broke away in 1991.

Having escaped decades of conflict in Somalia, Somaliland, which sits on the Gulf of Aden, employs its own security and police forces, justice system and currency.

It has a reputation for successfully maintaining law and order for its population of 4 million.

However northern state of the larger Somalia has not achieved any international recognition.