Official State Logo

State Logo Overview

The Official State Logo of the Republic of Somaliland represents the highest level of executive authority and is reserved for State-level representation. It is used to communicate formal Government presence with clarity, dignity, and national recognition.

This section provides the official standards for the State Logo, including authorised use, approved formats, spacing rules, and reproduction guidance to ensure consistent application across print, digital, and ceremonial contexts.

The logo displayed below is the only official and authoritative State Logo of the Republic of Somaliland. It is the approved master artwork and reference for all official reproduction and use.

The State Logo must always be used exactly as provided, without redesign, modification, reconstruction, or stylistic variation. No alternative or unofficial versions are permitted.

Important:

The State Logo is reserved for State-level use and must not be used as a ministry or institutional logo.

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Authorised Use of the State Logo

The Official State Logo may be used only in formal Government contexts where State authority and executive representation are required. Its use signifies official endorsement and must always respect the hierarchy of the national identity system.

Authorised uses include:

Presidency communications and official documents
Formal State proclamations and executive announcements
National and international representation of the Republic
Diplomatic and ceremonial applications
Official agreements, treaties, and State-level correspondence
Official signage and branding for State-level functions

The State Logo must not be used to represent ministries, agencies, programmes, departments, or non-state organisations.

Any use outside authorised contexts requires formal approval from the appropriate State authority.

Logo Components

The State Logo is built from a fixed set of elements that must remain in their official relationship and proportions.

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Official components include:

National Emblem
Represents the sovereignty and authority of the Republic of Somaliland.
Vertical Divider
Creates structural balance and separation between the emblem and the wordmark.
State Wordmark
The official name of the Republic presented in the approved language hierarchy and typographic style.

These components must never be separated, replaced, rearranged, or altered.

Logo Construction & Clear Space

The State Logo is constructed using a fixed proportional system designed to ensure visual consistency, balance, and authority across all applications. Every element of the logo—its spacing, alignment, and scale—is defined in relation to a single base unit, ensuring the logo remains clear and recognisable at any size.

The diameter of the National Emblem defines the base measurement X, from which all other dimensions are calculated. This proportional system must be followed precisely and may not be altered, adjusted, or interpreted differently across formats or uses.

Important

The State Logo must always be reproduced from the official master artwork. No redrawing, resizing of individual elements, or reconstruction is permitted.

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Construction & Proportions

The State Logo is composed of three aligned elements: the National Emblem, a vertical divider, and the State Wordmark. Their relationship is fixed and must never be modified.

Divider height: ¾ X
State Wordmark text block height: ¾ X (aligned with the divider)
Divider width: approximately 0.04 X
Horizontal spacing on both sides of the divider: approximately 0.19 X
All elements align on a shared horizontal axis to maintain visual balance and hierarchy

These proportions ensure that the emblem remains dominant while the wordmark is clearly legible and visually balanced.

Clear Space

A minimum clear space must be maintained around the entire State Logo to protect its clarity and authority.

Clear space (E): ¼ X
Clear space is measured from the outermost edge of the logo
No text, images, borders, patterns, or graphic elements may enter this protected area

This clear space must be preserved at all times, regardless of background, size, or medium.

Logo Formats and Variations

The Official State Logo is supplied in two approved formats to support different layout needs while protecting the logo’s authority and consistency. Both formats use the same official components and proportions and must always be reproduced from the approved master artwork. Choose the correct format based on available space and legibility—not personal preference. Both versions have the same official status.

Primary Format (Horizontal)

The preferred and default version for most applications. Use whenever there is enough horizontal space to display the full configuration clearly and with strong presence.

Secondary Format (Stacked)

An alternative approved arrangement used only when space is limited or vertical layouts require it. It must not replace the Primary Format when the horizontal version can be used.

Primary Horizontal (Light Background)

Preferred Standard: This is the default logo format for most applications. Use it whenever there is sufficient horizontal space on white or light-colored materials to ensure maximum brand presence.

Secondary Stacked (Light Background)

Vertical Optimization: Use this alternative arrangement when horizontal space is limited or for vertically-oriented layouts. It maintains the official seal’s prominence while centering the typography.

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Primary Horizontal (Dark Background)

Reversed Contrast: Designed for use on dark or brand-colored backgrounds. This version uses white typography to ensure the "Republic of Somaliland" text remains legible and authoritative against deep tones.

Secondary Stacked (Dark Background)

Compact Contrast: Reserved for tight, vertical spaces on dark backgrounds. It ensures that even in restricted layouts, the national identity is clearly visible and professional.

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Monochrome and Single-Color Versions

Monochrome and single-colour versions of the State Logo are provided only for limited production conditions where full-colour reproduction is not possible. These versions preserve the same official structure, proportions, and authority as the full-colour logo and must always be reproduced from the approved master artwork. They are intended for technical necessity, not preference, and must never replace the full-colour version when colour use is available.

Monochrome Horizontal (Positive)

Technical Necessity: Used for black-and-white printing, such as newspapers or internal memos. This format is required when full-color reproduction is not technically possible.

Monochrome Stacked (Positive)

Vertical Single-Color: An alternative for black-and-white layouts with limited width. It preserves the official structure of the seal using only black ink on a light surface.

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Monochrome Horizontal (Inverted)

Dark Single-Color: Specifically for single-color production on black or very dark surfaces. The logo is "knocked out" to white to maintain the clarity of the seal and text without using multiple inks.

Monochrome Stacked (Inverted)

Limited Vertical Production: The final fallback for vertical layouts where only one light color can be printed on a dark background, ensuring the logo's authority is never compromised by poor visibility.

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Incorrect State Logo Usage (Do Not Use)

The following examples illustrate common misuses of the Official State Logo that are strictly prohibited. Any alteration to colour, proportion, structure, background, or components compromises the logo’s authority, clarity, and legal status. The State Logo must always appear exactly as approved, using the official master artwork, correct colours, proportions, and backgrounds. Any use that modifies, decorates, distorts, or applies the logo outside authorised State contexts is not permitted and must be avoided in all applications.

Altering Colours

The State Logo must never be recoloured. Using non-official colours, gradients, transparency, or visual effects weakens its authority and is not permitted.

Distorting Proportions

The State Logo must always retain its original proportions. Stretching, compressing, rotating, skewing, or resizing individual elements is strictly prohibited.

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Low-Contrast Backgrounds

The State Logo must not be placed on backgrounds that reduce clarity or legibility. Busy images, patterns, gradients, or low-contrast colours are not allowed.

Modifying or Rebuilding the Logo

The State Logo must never be redrawn, traced, simplified, outlined, or reconstructed. Only the official master artwork may be used.

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Adding or Removing Elements

No elements may be added to or removed from the State Logo. This includes symbols, slogans, borders, shadows, or rearranging existing components.

Unauthorised or Improper Use

The State Logo must not be used by unauthorised entities or in inappropriate contexts. It must not appear as a departmental, commercial, or personal logo.

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