Somaliland has been hailed as a beacon of stability in the troubled Horn of Africa region since declaring independence from Somalia in 1991.<br /><br />But Al Jazeera's Mohamed Adow, reports that some experts now believe the self-declared republic is at crisis point, as an election row deepens.<br /><br />The current tension in Somaliland centres on the presidential election, which was due to have been held on September 27.<br /><br />The polls have been postponed indefinitely due to serious differences between the political parties since 2008.<br /><br />This uncertainty has led to increased concern about Somaliland in the international community, and a flare-up of political animosity within the territory.<br /><br />Recent violence, particularly in the capital Hargeysa, has shown that the crisis in Somaliland has changed from being political to one of security and stability.<br /><br />Fears over the crisis has even led one senior political figure to warn that it could become another failed state, like neighbouring Somalia.<br /><br />Somaliland is a former British protectorate in north western Somalia.<br /><br />In 1960, it gained its independence and united with what was then Italian Somaliland to form the Somalia republic.<br /><br />Limited democracy<br /><br />In 1991, it declared independence after Mohamed Siad Barre, the Somali military leader, was overthrown.<br /><br />Somaliland has a population of 3.5 million people, according to government estimates, and is a relatively stable democracy even though it has not been internationally recognised.<br /><br />This is partly because it has developed a unique hybrid system of government.<br /><br />The row over elections - largely seen as a test for this fledgeling nation - threatens to divide it.<br /><br />The hope now lies with a recently appointed electoral commission, entrusted with the task of organising elections, a step seen as vital to Somaliland's quest for international recognition.
