Somaliland is a strategically located de facto state in the Horn of Africa. As an independent territorial entity, it emerged from British colonial rule on 26 June 1960. After voluntarily merging with the Italian Trust Territory of Somalia upon the latter’s independence 5 days later, the State of Somaliland became part of Somalia. However, following the collapse of the central government in Somalia, Somaliland unilaterally reinstated its independence in 1991 and has functioned as a de facto independent republic. As a self-governing entity, Somaliland has operated in the context of great power competition for more than three decades. It has navigated through various constraints, most importantly, the lack of official international recognition. This chapter discusses Somaliland as an object and subject in great power competition. It provides a geopolitical background to Somaliland and envisions its future amidst evolving great power contestation.