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| Capital (and largest city) |
Berbera | ||
| Language | Somali, Arabic, Álengsk | ||
| Sultan | Mahmud IX | ||
| Queen | Thorey VII | ||
| Population | 5,614,000 | ||
| Currency | MJA | ||
Marjeerteen-Álengsk Somaliland, Somaliland, Soomaaliland is a large constitutional co-dominion in east Africa and jointly administered by Majeerteenia and Álengiamark. To the west lies the Ethiopian Empire, to the North; the Gulf of Aden and the Caliphate, to the east Majeerteenia-proper and to the south Buganda and Geelidi. The population is 5.6 million and the capital is Berbera.
The official languages are Somali, Arabic and Álengsk.
The Head of States are Sultan Mahmud IX and Queen Thorey VII.
The currency is the Majeerteenian Ajur (MJA)
History[]
The northern part of the broad Somali homeland on the Horn of Africa had been part of various empires and kingdoms over the millennia. Islam was introduced in about 700. The Ifat Sultans contested the borders between Christian Ethiopia and Muslim East Africa and they in turn were supplanted by the Adal Sultans in the 14th century. The Adal Sultanate would fall apart in time; being divided between the Isaaq Sultanate, and the Caliphate to whom Isaaq owed a grudging fealty.
In 1806 the Ajuuran Sultanate on the southern coast of 'Somalia', for decades assumed to be on its last legs as a functioning entity, attempted a general re-conquest of all the Somali lands, all but destroying the Isaaq Sultanate in the process. Portuguese and Álengsk help to the Majeerteen Sultan saved a similar collapse. The Ajuraan War (1806-1809) spurred greater interest in the region from various European parties but it would be Álengiamark, already installed on the nearby island of Soqotra, who would become the most involved.
Álengsk marines would seize the vital port city of Berbera in 1840 as the remains of the Isaaq state collapsed into civil war and religious fanaticism. Majeerteenia seized the rest of the Issaq lands not yet in Ethiopian hands but soon found themselves embroiled in costly wars putting down revolt after revolt as they attempted to cement their authority.
Álengsk influence was solidified during the First Álengsk-Caliphate War (1857-1863). The war saw the brief occupation of Aden on the Arabian side of the Gulf. The Sultan of Majeerteenia and the Governor of Berbera, Ólafur Jóhannsson, would, once the war had wrapped up, use the Álengsk army to pacify the rebellious provinces and Somaliland was created, to be administered jointly. The Second Álengsk-Caliphate War (1906-1910) shored up the Red Sea borders, with Ethiopia now permanently taking the Caliphate province of Medri Bahri (which had swung between the two's control for centuries).
Further expansion of the co-dominion was proscribed by the 'Treaty of Limitations Pertaining to Africa' (1914) which agreed to limit European control. In theory the territory will eventually revert completely to Majeerteen control, perhaps with broad autonomy and Berbera remaining in Álengsk hands, though there is no time-frame for any transfer of power.
The interior is a semi-arid plateau; drought and famine are becoming regular problems here. Charity drives in Álengiamark have helped alleviate the issue a little and there is a small, but growing, Somali community in Álengiamark. Politicians, especially in Kristjanaborg, have championed Somali issues in order to wring out more votes. Another long-standing problem is the existence of a stubborn clan and sub-clan structure which makes governing the state a minefield of diplomacy; any project, even street names, which is seen to give preference to one clan over the other is met with stiff resistance. Taxation (or lack of) is a constant source of conflict and occasional rebellion, and hampers the long-term development of infrastructure.
Government[]
Somaliland is governed by a council made up of Majeerteen and Álengsk governors appointed by their respective governments and hereditary local clan leaders. There is essentially no democratic process.
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