Woman waves flag during celebrations of the 25th anniversary of Somaliland's declaration of independence in the capital, Hargeisa on May 18, 2016.<br /><br />Despite the declaration, Somaliland is still considered an autonomous region of Somalia by the United Nations. But President Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud Silanyo is pushing hard for recognition of full sovereignty.
Woman waves flag during celebrations of the 25th anniversary of Somaliland's declaration of independence in the capital, Hargeisa on May 18, 2016.

Despite the declaration, Somaliland is still considered an autonomous region of Somalia by the United Nations. But President Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud Silanyo is pushing hard for recognition of full sovereignty.
MOHAMED ABDIWAHAB/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Somaliland military personnel march on independence day. The region spends heavily on its army and navy but is operating under a UN arms embargo.
Somaliland military personnel march on independence day. The region spends heavily on its army and navy but is operating under a UN arms embargo.
MOHAMED ABDIWAHAB/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Hargeisa War Memorial in Freedom Square features a representation of a Russian fighter jet used to bomb the city by former dictator Mohamed Siyad Barre, who was overthrown in 1991.
Hargeisa War Memorial in Freedom Square features a representation of a Russian fighter jet used to bomb the city by former dictator Mohamed Siyad Barre, who was overthrown in 1991.
MOHAMED ABDIWAHAB/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Downtown Hargeisa in the week before the independence day celebrations. The fast-growing city is home to almost a million residents. Somaliland is considered a relatively safe haven as the rest of Somalia remains plagued by conflict.
Downtown Hargeisa in the week before the independence day celebrations. The fast-growing city is home to almost a million residents. Somaliland is considered a relatively safe haven as the rest of Somalia remains plagued by conflict.
MOHAMED ABDIWAHAB/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Loading cargo ship at the Port of Berbera on December 5, 2015. The main exports from Somaliland are livestock to the Gulf countries Saudi Arabia, Dubai and Qatar.
Loading cargo ship at the Port of Berbera on December 5, 2015. The main exports from Somaliland are livestock to the Gulf countries Saudi Arabia, Dubai and Qatar.
ZACHARIAS ABUBEKER/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Traders preparing to load goats and sheep ready for export into a truck, at the biggest livestock market in Somaliland. Livestock farming is the backbone of the Somaliland economy. Every year, an estimated 4.2 million sheep, goats, cattle and camel are sold to neighboring Arab States via the port of Berbera.
Traders preparing to load goats and sheep ready for export into a truck, at the biggest livestock market in Somaliland. Livestock farming is the backbone of the Somaliland economy. Every year, an estimated 4.2 million sheep, goats, cattle and camel are sold to neighboring Arab States via the port of Berbera.
SIMON MAINA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Somali money changer next to piles of banknotes on a busy street in Hargeisa.
Somali money changer next to piles of banknotes on a busy street in Hargeisa.
SIMON MAINA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Ayan Hussein, a London stylist originally from Somaliland, shows dresses she sells to local Muslim women, inside her clothing store in Hargeisa. Hussein is one of many immigrants who have found their way back to the relative calm of Somaliland.
Ayan Hussein, a London stylist originally from Somaliland, shows dresses she sells to local Muslim women, inside her clothing store in Hargeisa. Hussein is one of many immigrants who have found their way back to the relative calm of Somaliland.
SIMON MAINA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
A man purchases a bundle of the narcotic plant khat, which is hugely popular in Hargeisa.
A man purchases a bundle of the narcotic plant khat, which is hugely popular in Hargeisa.
Petterik Wiggers/Panos Pictures
A primitive rock painting, one of a galaxy of colourful animal and human sketches to adorn the caves in the rocky hills near Hargeisa, home to Africa's earliest known and most pristine rock art.<br /><br />In ten caves in Laas Geel, Somali for 'camel watering hole', outside Hargeisa, vivid depictions afford a peek at a pastoralist history dating back some 5,000 years or more. The paintings were discovered in 2002 by a French archeology team and have since been protected to stem looting after their value became apparent to locals who previously feared they were the work of evil spirits.<br /><br />The paintings have also become a leading attraction of Somaliland's fledgling tourism industry.
A primitive rock painting, one of a galaxy of colourful animal and human sketches to adorn the caves in the rocky hills near Hargeisa, home to Africa's earliest known and most pristine rock art.

In ten caves in Laas Geel, Somali for 'camel watering hole', outside Hargeisa, vivid depictions afford a peek at a pastoralist history dating back some 5,000 years or more. The paintings were discovered in 2002 by a French archeology team and have since been protected to stem looting after their value became apparent to locals who previously feared they were the work of evil spirits.

The paintings have also become a leading attraction of Somaliland's fledgling tourism industry.
MOHAMED ABDIWAHAB/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Toyota importers for Somaliland at the Hargeisa International Trade Fair
Toyota importers for Somaliland at the Hargeisa International Trade Fair
Petterik Wiggers/Panos Pictures
A woman casts her ballot during the 2010 elections that saw President Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud Silanyoon elected. <br /><br />Somaliland closed its borders during voting amid fears that terrorists from neighboring Somalia could try to disrupt the polls, after warnings from the al-Shebab movement. <br />
A woman casts her ballot during the 2010 elections that saw President Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud Silanyoon elected.

Somaliland closed its borders during voting amid fears that terrorists from neighboring Somalia could try to disrupt the polls, after warnings from the al-Shebab movement.
ALI MUSA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images