The world’s next country?

Since declaring independence from Somalia in 1991, the people of Somaliland have built a surprisingly stable democracy in a volatile region where autocracy is the norm. Yet no country has recognised the breakaway state’s claim to sovereignty. Geopolitical developments in the past year and Donald Trump’s victory have raised the hopes of Somalilanders that this may soon change. But their nerves have been jangling ahead of a presidential poll on November 13th, since internal ructions could kibosh their national dream.