Somaliland, a breakaway region in East Africa, is offering the United States a strategic opportunity: establish a military base in the port city of Berbera, and in return, recognize Somaliland as an independent country. This proposal was made by Bashir Goth, Somaliland’s representative in Washington, during an interview with the Russian news agency TASS.
The idea is straightforward yet bold: Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991, is seeking recognition on the global stage. In exchange, the U.S. would gain a foothold in a critical region of the Gulf of Aden, a waterway that connects the Arabian Sea to the Suez Canal – one of the busiest and most important shipping routes in the world.
A Long Fight for Sovereignty
Somaliland broke away from Somalia more than three decades ago after the fall of Somali military leader Siad Barre. Since then, it has functioned as a self-governing territory with its own government, military, and even a unique currency. Despite these achievements, no country has officially recognized Somaliland as a sovereign state, and Somalia still claims it as part of its territory.
Earlier this year, Somaliland made headlines when it signed a controversial deal with Ethiopia. The agreement allowed Ethiopia to lease 20 kilometers of Somaliland’s coastline to build a marine base and expand its commercial access to the sea. In return, Ethiopia promised to recognize Somaliland’s independence. This move infuriated Somalia, sparking accusations of aggression and even threats of war.
Why the U.S. Could Be Interested
For the United States, this offer could have major strategic benefits. By setting up a base in Berbera, Washington could monitor weapons movement in the region, keep an eye on terrorist activities, and counter China’s growing influence. China already operates a permanent military base in Djibouti, Somaliland’s neighbor to the east.
Somaliland’s location could make it a valuable partner for the U.S. in its efforts to secure the Gulf of Aden and strengthen its intelligence operations in a volatile region. According to experts, this partnership could help the U.S. gain a competitive edge in East Africa’s shifting geopolitical landscape.
What’s at Stake?
While Somaliland sees this as a win-win scenario, the situation is far from simple. Somalia has repeatedly warned against any deals that support Somaliland’s independence. The Somali government recently expelled Ethiopia’s ambassador and threatened to remove Ethiopian troops fighting the Al-Qaeda-linked group Al-Shabaab within its borders.
Despite the risks, Somaliland is confident that its case is strong. Bashir Goth dismissed concerns about Mogadishu’s reaction, saying, “We see ourselves as an independent state, and we will pursue partnerships based on our national interests.”
As the world watches, Somaliland is banking on support from the next U.S. administration. With Donald Trump set to return to the White House in January, Somaliland hopes the new administration will take a chance on this high-stakes proposal.
The question now is: will the U.S. recognize Somaliland and take the deal, or will it risk losing a key strategic ally in one of the world’s most vital regions?
