Matthew Gordon has worked on the Horn of Africa since 2011, including five years based in Somaliland as a diplomatic advisor and development worker. This includes a lengthy stint supporting the Somaliland Ministry of Foreign Affairs in its foreign policy, as well as working with UNDP and the Rift Valley Institute on projects related to local governance and land policy throughout the Somali territories. Mr. Gordon is currently nearing completion of a PhD on the international politics of statebuilding surrounding Somaliland at SOAS, University of London.