- Somaliland and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic are actively seeking international recognition as independent states.
- The AU has been reluctant to recognise these attempts at secession and the broader international community is slow to offer recognition.
- International law and internal factors provide a strong basis for the independence of these territories.
- Eritrea and South Sudan have succeeded at achieving independence and international recognition despite the AU’s hard stance on respecting colonially inherited borders.
- Many lessons and answers are to be found in these examples and offer some direction on the way forward for Somaliland and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.
