Breakaway African region courts U.S. with military base, minerals in push for recognition

Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991, is offering the United States a military base near the mouth of the Red Sea and access to critical minerals as part of its bid for international recognition.

Although Washington continues to recognise Somalia’s sovereignty over the territory, Somaliland’s President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi is actively courting US support, positioning the semi-autonomous region in the broader contest for strategic influence and resources in Africa, as both China and the US seek to deepen their footprint on the continent, according to a Bloomberg report.

Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, who took office as president of Somaliland in 2024, said his administration is in talks with the U.S. Embassy in Somalia and the Department of Defence to forge new partnerships focused on security, counter-terrorism, and economic cooperation.

Somaliland has sought international recognition since declaring independence from Somalia in 1991. While Somalia has endured decades of civil war and Islamist insurgency, Somaliland has remained largely peaceful, making it an appealing partner for foreign powers looking to bolster regional security.

“If the US is interested to land in Somaliland they are most welcome,” Abdullahi said, adding he would be prepared to offer the US a critical-minerals deal for products such as lithium.

Recognising Somaliland could bolster America’s strategic positioning at the Red Sea’s gateway, where Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have targeted ships linked to the U.S., Israel, and other nations supporting the war in Gaza.

However, recognition poses diplomatic risks. Washington would have to weigh its support for Somaliland against its broader security ties with Somalia, where the U.S. has played a leading role in countering Islamic State and Al-Qaeda affiliates.

Though Ambassador Richard Riley and other American officials have met with Somaliland’s leadership to explore mutual interests in the Horn of Africa, the U.S. State Department said it is not in active talks about recognising Somaliland as an independent state.

“The United States recognises the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia, which includes Somaliland,” the department said in a statement.

President Abdullahi said he plans to visit the United States soon and emphasised that Somaliland’s offer of economic and security cooperation, including potential deals on critical minerals, is not contingent on formal recognition from Washington or Donald Trump.

When asked about the possibility of hosting a U.S. military base, he said discussions are still ongoing. “We are now still discussing issues. We are looking forward to that discussion bearing fruit in the future,” he said.

Somaliland’s presence in Africa remains unanchored. Though it broke away from Somalia over 30 years ago, it has yet to gain formal recognition as an independent state from either the African Union (AU) or the United Nations (UN).

To date, Ethiopia stands as the only country to acknowledge its sovereignty, a move that sparked tensions across East Africa early last year.