The United States considers a review of its policy towards Somalia, as Somaliland continues to campaign for recognition.

[Deeq A.]

Somaliland is making increased efforts to gain international recognition, particularly from the U.S. administration led by President Donald Trump.

These efforts have intensified as statements and political movements in Washington have gained momentum. According to a report published by Bloomberg, U.S. experts close to the Republican Party have confirmed their support for the debate on Somaliland’s recognition as an independent state.

Among these experts are J. Peter Pham, who served as the U.S. Special Representative to the Sahel region and the Great Lakes Region during Trump’s first term in office, and Tibor Nagy, who served as the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs. In order to convey its message to Washington, Somaliland has entered into an agreement with a consulting firm and political elders. One of these firms is FSG Global, which is responsible for working with the Trump administration, and the other is Panterra, headquartered in London, as reported by Bloomberg. J. Peter Pham stated that Somaliland holds paramount strategic importance due to its strategic location.

He also mentioned that Somaliland has one of the largest runways in Africa, measuring 5000 meters, and a deep-water port in Berbera managed by DP World. On the U.S. political front, Senator Ted Cruz, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, sent a letter to President Trump in August of last year, urging him to recognize Somaliland. Despite Trump’s criticism of the U.S. military presence in Somalia over the past 30 years, his administration has escalated airstrikes in the region.

According to information gathered by the New America Foundation, the U.S. has carried out 162 airstrikes in Somalia, three times more than during Joe Biden’s administration. The report also states that the U.S. government has dispatched an intelligence officer to assess the situation in Somaliland, indicating Washington’s keen interest in the region. Somaliland’s Minister of Presidential Affairs, Khadar Hussein Abdi, stated that the country is ready to offer the U.S. strategic opportunities, including access to natural resources such as rare earth minerals and oil, which have not been officially explored.

He also mentioned the possibility of the U.S. establishing a military base in Somaliland. He stated, “The U.S. is tired of supporting the failed government in Mogadishu. Despite providing financial and military support for a long time, the situation has not improved. A wind of change is taking place.”

Somaliland Standard

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