HARGEISA (SD) — The latest Freedom House report shows a clear difference between Somaliland and Somalia in political freedom and civil rights.

The report gives Somaliland a score of 47 out of 100, placing it in the “Partly Free” category. It says Somaliland has made progress through competitive elections and peaceful changes of leadership.

However, the report also points to problems. These include delayed elections and restrictions on independent journalists.

Somalia received a much lower score of 8 out of 100, placing it in the “Not Free” category. The report points to weak government institutions, clan-based politics, a lack of direct national elections and continued insecurity.

The Somali government also faces challenges in controlling the country. Al-Shabaab remains a major threat, while political disputes between the federal government and regional states continue.

The scores show a clear difference between the two sides. Somaliland has built its own political system and held competitive elections. Somalia continues to face serious political and security problems.

Despite this difference, Somaliland is still not recognized as an independent country. Somalia remains internationally recognized as the country’s government and holds its seat at the United Nations.

The report could help Somaliland make its case for international recognition. Its leaders can point to the difference in scores as evidence of progress in building democratic institutions.

However, Somaliland also needs to address its own problems, especially delayed elections and restrictions on journalists.

For Somalia, the low score shows how much work remains to improve security, government institutions and political freedoms.

The report also raises a wider question: why does Somaliland remain unrecognised despite its record of elections and relative stability, while Somalia continues to receive international recognition despite its serious challenges? The report may strengthen Somaliland’s argument, but recognition will depend on political decisions by other countries.