But neither Britain nor any other non-African nation is likely to risk offending Africa by taking the lead on so sensitive an issue. That means Somaliland’s fate remains in the hands of the continent.
Within the Brenthurst Foundation’s election monitoring team, there was some suggestion of Somaliland using its ties with the United Arab Emirates – which is helping it rehabilitate Somaliland’s Berbera Port – to encourage Egypt to make Hargeisa’s case in the AU.