MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somaliland is planning to grant the United States a strategic expanse of land along the Red Sea, near the port city of Berbera, for the establishment of a military base. The base would serve as a critical asset in countering Houthi threats to Western and Israeli vessels traversing nearby key maritime corridors, the self-declared republic’s representative in Washington Bashir Good said.
Efforts are underway to persuade the incoming Trump administration to accept the proposal, which, if successful, would result in the United States recognizing Somaliland as an independent nation, effectively ending its three-decade-long quest for international recognition, he added.
This development follows closely on the heels of a motion introduced by Republican Congressman Scott Perry of Pennsylvania, calling for official recognition of Somaliland. The motion came just weeks after Somaliland peacefully conducted a presidential election, in which the incumbent president was defeated and gracefully handed over power to the opposition contender.
This also follows remarks made weeks earlier by former British Defense Minister Gavin Williamson, who asserted that the Trump administration would officially recognize Somaliland—years after his unsuccessful attempt to lobby for its recognition in the British Parliament through a motion.
Since unilaterally declaring independence from Somalia in 1991, Somaliland has operated as a self-governing entity, yet it has struggled to gain international recognition. To further its bid, the region has enlisted prominent lobbying firms across Western capitals, funneling substantial financial resources into its efforts. In response, Mogadishu, which considers Somaliland a part of its sovereign territory, has also engaged lobbyists in Washington, aiming to thwart any potential recognition of the breakaway republic.
In January, former Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi inked an agreement with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, leasing a key stretch of land along the Red Sea for the establishment of a naval base, with the condition that Ethiopia would recognize Somaliland’s independence. The deal ignited a diplomatic standoff between Addis Ababa and Mogadishu, intensifying existing regional tensions.
Addis Ababa has since acknowledged Somaliland’s demand for recognition but ultimately agreed to nullify the agreement after reaching a new accord with Somalia’s government in Turkish-brokered talks held in Ankara this month. As part of the deal, Addis Ababa made two key concessions: abandoning any pursuit of Somaliland’s recognition and the proposed naval base, while instead seeking alternative access to the sea through commercial agreements, including leases and contracts, among other options.
With the prospect of recognition from Ethiopia now effectively dashed, Somaliland has shifted its attention to the United States. Simultaneously, reports suggest that Israel is considering the establishment of a military base in the region to defend against Houthi missile and drone attacks aimed at its territory.
However, many in Somaliland are questioning the wisdom of pursuing recognition at the potential cost of the region’s security. With Houthi hypersonic missile attacks capable of striking Tel Aviv from thousands of miles away without detection, concerns are mounting about Somaliland’s ability to defend itself from such threats. Given that Yemen lies just next door, Somaliland could find itself vulnerable to missile strikes, especially if US or Israeli operations based in the region provoke retaliation from the Houthis.
