Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991, is using Omnicom’s Mercury PA to gain U.S. recognition of its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Somalia views it as a illegitimate state.

The former British protectorate split from Somalia during the chaos of its civil war and ensuing disintegration of the country’s central government in Mogadishu. Its 3.5M people are dominantly Islamic.

Mercury has a $20K-per-month contract through June. Polling and media/advertising outlays are to be billed separately and must receive prior approval by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The U.S. State Dept. in 2010 modified its relationship with Somalia and announced plans for a deeper engagement with Somaliland.

While open to development and aid projects, the U.S. said then it had no plans to extend formal recognition to Somaliland.