Core Government Visual Standards

The Core Identity System of the Republic of Somaliland defines the official visual standards that govern how the State is represented across all Government institutions. It establishes one unified identity framework to ensure national symbols, official colors, typography, and supporting elements are applied consistently and correctly in every formal context.

This system is not decorative. It is an official national standard designed to strengthen institutional credibility, ensure public recognition, and protect the authority and dignity of State communication in both domestic and international environments.

The purpose of the Core Identity System is to standardize Government representation and ensure that all official materials reflect national unity, authority, and professionalism. Through a shared national framework, the Government prevents fragmented visual practices and ensures every ministry, agency, and authority communicates with one consistent State identity.

Key Objectives

• Official Recognition: Ensure all Government communications are immediately identifiable as authentic and authoritative.
• National Consistency: Eliminate conflicting designs and unify all institutions under one national system.
• Protection of State Symbols: Safeguard national elements from misuse, distortion, or unauthorized modification.
• Institutional Discipline: Promote structured communication practices aligned with Government standards.
• Public Trust and Credibility: Strengthen confidence through professional, consistent, and recognizable visual identity.

The Core Identity System is governed by principles that apply to all official uses across Government institutions.

Unity and Consistency

All Government entities must follow one national visual standard. Consistency is essential to ensure the State communicates with one unified voice and identity.

Clear Hierarchy of Authority

National symbols represent State sovereignty and must remain visually primary. Institutional identifiers must support, not compete with, the authority of the State.

Discipline in Implementation

All official elements must be applied exactly as approved. No redesign, modification, recreation, or reinterpretation is permitted under any circumstances.

Protection of National Integrity

The system exists to protect national dignity and prevent misuse of symbols, colors, and official marks in unauthorized contexts.

The National Brand Identity is organized into distinct levels to ensure clarity, authority, and correct representation across all Government applications.

National Sovereign Symbols

These represent the highest authority of the Republic of Somaliland and must be used only in official State contexts that reflect national sovereignty.

State-Level Identity (Presidential and Sovereign Use)

These identifiers represent the highest executive and sovereign representation of the State, including formal national and international communication.

Government Entity Logos (Ministries, Agencies, Authorities)

These logos identify institutional responsibilities across Government. They must remain aligned within the national system and must never override the authority of State-level identity elements.

The National Color Standards define the official Government color system of the Republic of Somaliland. The system is composed of five national colors that ensure consistent and recognizable Government communication across all platforms and applications.

Somaliland Brown represents State-level authority and is reserved for the highest official Government representation. Approved tints and shades may be used for structured layouts and supporting design elements.

Somaliland Green is the official color for all ministries and ministerial Government institutions. Its approved tints and shades support consistent use across documents, digital platforms, and public communication.

Somaliland Red is used for non-ministerial entities such as authorities, commissions, and directorates. Approved tints and shades may be used to support layouts while maintaining national consistency.

Neutral Colors — Black and White

Somaliland Black and White are the official neutral colors used across all Government entities. They support readability, contrast, and clean layout structure in both print and digital materials.

• Black: Primary text, headings, dividers, and functional elements
• White: Backgrounds, spacing, clarity, and content balance

The Government Typography Standards define the official type system used across all communications of the Republic of Somaliland. Typography is not only about choosing a font—it is a national standard that ensures Government documents and public information look official, clear, and trustworthy.

When typography is applied correctly, citizens can easily recognize Government materials, read them comfortably, and understand them without confusion. Consistent typography also strengthens institutional credibility and supports a unified national identity across ministries, agencies, and authorities.

The Government typography system is built on two primary typefaces to support the official languages used in national communication. This structure ensures that Somali, Arabic, and English content can be presented clearly and consistently across all formats.

Primary Typeface for Somali and English (Latin Script)

Plus Jakarta Sans is used for all Somali and English Government communication. It provides a clean, modern, and highly readable style suitable for both printed documents and digital platforms.

Primary Typeface for Arabic (Arabic Script)

Kufam is used for Arabic Government communication. It ensures Arabic text remains clear, professional, and visually balanced when placed beside Somali and English content.

The National Pattern is an official supporting element of the Republic of Somaliland identity system. It is used to enhance Government materials by adding national character and visual structure—especially in areas where additional background support is needed.

The pattern must always remain subtle, secondary, and non-dominant. It must never replace or compete with the National Emblem, official logos, or official text.

Where the Pattern Should Be Used

The pattern is recommended for official Government applications such as:

• Report covers, notebooks, and publications
• Certificate and folder backgrounds
• Letterhead backside and envelope interiors
• Business card backside and supporting stationery surfaces
• Website background sections (light watermark use)

Pattern Rules (Important)

To keep the identity official and consistent:

• Use only the approved national pattern artwork.
• Keep the pattern light and subtle so it does not reduce readability.
• Do not stretch, rotate, redraw, or modify the pattern.
• Do not place the pattern behind the National Emblem, logos, or dense text.
• Do not overuse the pattern across every layout.

Iconography supports Government communication by making information easier to understand and navigate, especially across digital platforms, forms, and public service materials. Icons help users recognize services and actions quickly while keeping layouts clean and professional.

The Government icon set is based on Google Icons and is provided in two official styles to support different design needs:

• Outline Icons (Primary Style) — recommended for most Government interfaces because they are clear, modern, and consistent.
• Filled Icons (Secondary Style) — used when stronger emphasis or visibility is needed, such as active states, highlights, or important interface elements.

Icons must remain simple and consistent within the same layout and must always support the content without distracting from official identity elements.