"The Country That Does Not Exist is the book on how a post-nation-state world order may unfold. A breath of fresh air, it is a must-read for academics and policy experts alike, showing the elusiveness (and futility) of conventional approaches to rebuilding states.' -- Will Reno, Professor of Political Science, the Program of African Studies, Northwestern University "Prunier provides an insightful and comprehensive analysis of the formation of the Republic of Somaliland. He manages to connect local details to regional and global developments, and delivers a timely and highly accessible interpretation of the turbulent history of the region." -- Jutta Bakonyi, Associate Professor of Development and Conflict, University of Durham, and author of Country without a State: Economy and Society in Wars, the Example of Somalia "This compulsively readable book, filled with eyewitness testimonies, tells the story of the birth of still-unrecognised Somaliland from the wreckage of the collapsed Somali state. It provides an unrivalled guide to how governance among Somalis can, and cannot, be created." -- Christopher Clapham, Centre of African Studies, University of Cambridge "A very readable history of the enigma that is Somaliland--a country that does not exist in the eyes of other nations, but whose people crafted a political settlement that has endured for decades. Prunier describes Somaliland's remarkable story, but also the risks of young Somalilanders living in their parents' 'frozen dreams'.

" -- Mark Bradbury, Executive Director of the Rift Valley Institute and author of Becoming Somaliland.