Category: Blog

Urging Congressional Action against Aggression on Somaliland

Urging Congressional Action against Aggression on Somaliland

Press release: US Government Must Respond to the aggression against Somaliland Republic  Continue reading “Urging Congressional Action against Aggression on Somaliland”

Antony Blinken Avoiding China’s Sparked African Proxy War in Somaliland

Antony Blinken Avoiding China's Sparked African Proxy War in Somaliland

Fighting continues in Somaliland’s Sool district. Americans may yawn and dismiss the fighting that began in late December as just another conflict in a dusty African corner. Such casual dismissal of Africa is not only wrong strategically (and a bit racist), but it also misreads the importance of the escalating fight. Continue reading “Antony Blinken Avoiding China’s Sparked African Proxy War in Somaliland”

Horn Region & Beyond on Fire for Delaying Somaliland’s Recognition

Horn Region & Beyond on Fire for Delaying Somaliland's Recognition

Somaliland is a victim of its own success in promoting democracy and peace in the region and establishing ties with Taiwan and the United States.
Somaliland is a victim of its own success in maintaining peace in the region by providing free border security for neighboring countries, offering protection for ships traveling through its sea, and not allowing piracy and terrorist organizations to establish bases in Somaliland. Continue reading “Horn Region & Beyond on Fire for Delaying Somaliland’s Recognition”

The Win-win Solution to Las Anod Crisis

The Win-win Solution to Las Anod Crisis

Can war be the solution to bring peace in certain instances? History appears to answer this provocative question with a heretical yes.

Continue reading “The Win-win Solution to Las Anod Crisis”

Meet Somaliland SAG Advisor – Robert Marro

Meet Somaliland SAG Advisor - Robert Marro

His advocacy firm and Somaliland Strategic Advisory Group -SAG collaborate to make the opportunities in Somaliland known to American businesses and investors.

Robert Marro is a former senior United States Commercial Service Diplomat who had served in countries in Asia, Europe and Canada, and was later Director of all U.S. Government commercial activities in the Middle East, South Asia and Africa.

During this career Marro helped hundreds of American companies find partners and counterparts in his countries of assignment, and later throughout the Middle East, South Asia and Africa as Regional Director there. He worked with those American firms, and with local government agencies, multinational and local corporations and private entrepreneurs, to identify new export and investment opportunities, and to guide them to successful business.

Recognized as a uniquely innovative corporate strategist and manager, Marro was the youngest officer ever selected for Senior Foreign Service, and assigned to some of the most dynamic markets for American exports and investment worldwide. He won numerous awards, including two Commerce Silver Medals, Meritorious Honor awards and recognition for innovative programs on economic development, creative business missions, and successful advocacy for American companies facing thorny obstacles and discriminatory policies by local governments and corporate competition.

On leaving government, Marro became an expert strategic consultant with unique skills with private corporate advocacy, managing many key projects worldwide as President of boutique consultancy TM Gemini Communications. He has helped companies win contracts, secure finance, advocated to successfully overcome artificial barriers and won contracts for clients for providing pioneering projects in Iraq, KSA, Jordan, Egypt, South Africa, Malaysia, Bangladesh, and more.

Robert Marro (aka Bob Marro) currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer of Bent Tree Advocacy – Public Relations and Communications Firm

How Somaliland Navigated Democracy, Development, & State-building without Recognition

How Somaliland Navigated Democracy, Development, & State-building without Recognition

The Republic of Somaliland is a de facto sovereign state in the Horn of Africa. Declaring independence from Somalia in 1991, Somaliland is a self-governing country, with democratic elections and a distinct history, but it’s still considered part of Somalia by the international community. Continue reading “How Somaliland Navigated Democracy, Development, & State-building without Recognition”

2023 US Defense Authorization Act Embracing Somaliland Engagement

2023 US Defense Authorization Act Embracing Somaliland Engagement

As a result of China’s expanding influence in the Horn of Africa and the unrest that has spread to many nations along the Red Sea, which is one of the most important waterways for international trade, the American administration has been considering how to build a presence in this region. Continue reading “2023 US Defense Authorization Act Embracing Somaliland Engagement”

Time for US Military Drills in Somaliland for the Horn of Africa

Time for US Military Drills in Somaliland for the Horn of Africa

The Pentagon’s calendar is replete with regular military exercises. Every two years, for example, thousands of American military personnel from almost every service branch descend on Egypt for Bright Star. What began in 1980 with Egyptian, American, and a few Sudanese troops rubbing elbows, today includes 20 other countries from across the Middle East, Eastern Mediterranean, and Africa. Continue reading “Time for US Military Drills in Somaliland for the Horn of Africa”

Somaliland US Partnership Act Finally En Route to White House

Somaliland US Partnership Act Finally En Route to White House

Congress is currently seeking to reconcile House and Senate versions of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) prior to sending it to President Joe Biden for signature. For the first time, the tiny unrecognized nation of Somaliland is on the agenda. It is long past time. Continue reading “Somaliland US Partnership Act Finally En Route to White House”

Extension of Bihi’s Term Erodes the Goodwill of Somaliland

Extension of Bihi’s Term Erodes the Goodwill of Somaliland

Somaliland’s political leadership can never lose sight of the big picture. Democracy is Somaliland’s brand — the major reason it has attracted so much positive attention in recent years from the United Kingdom, the European Union, the United States, and Taiwan. It is the reason Congressional staff and military delegations now visit. While strategic factors play a role, discussion about Somaliland’s status as a putative nation would not be as advanced as it is if Somaliland were just another strongman state. Continue reading “Extension of Bihi’s Term Erodes the Goodwill of Somaliland”