Misguided US Foreign Policy on Somalia

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Misguided US Foreign Policy on Somalia

Somaliland Republic and its people accept nothing short of recognition as a sovereign state from either the US government or any other government in elsewhere in the world. Somaliland entertains neither the so-called Single Somalia Policy nor Dual Track Policy that awards Somaliland a special engagement, and it deeply regrets maintaining the status quo of outdated US foreign policy on Somalia, contrary to the current realities in the ground for the past three decades.

The US and Western European countries preach all over the world the gospel of democracy, fair representation, rule of law, and an economy based on free market principles.

However, countries that adopt such form of governments and economic systems are not treated equally and it is unfortunate that US and European democracies practice political discrimination where they selectively pick and acknowledge one emerging democracy over the other.

For instance, in the case of Somalia, the public narratives of politicians don’t match up the actions they are blessing on the ground. From security perspective, General Townsend of USAFRICOM in an interview with VOA said that Somalia is in talks with China about a Chinese Military Base in its soil. That is a clear indication of her position, yet the US and other European governments are wasting their resources on a failed endeavor, and still pursuing a unified Somalia of sixths.

In Somaliland there were 5 serene power transfers, two parliamentary elections, and three local government elections in line with one vote one man. Right up ’til today, elections somewhat tantamount to those of Somaliland have not happened in Somalia yet.

With the support of the entire world, Somalia is struggling to materialize clan-based selections – not a true genuine election- for the members of lower House of Parliament for quite a while and that highlights the fragility of the governance structure existing there – a model currently the US and many Western governments content with while ignoring the nascent democratization transition that flourished in Somaliland

What is astonishing however, the US government and international partners of Somalia never speak out against and question the hoax representation of Somaliland people in that process – a reality that shrouds their integrity and intentions with skepticism

Twitter post by Molly Phee – a career member of Foreign Service and currently serving as the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs since September 30, 2021 – following her meeting with the President of Somaliland and his delegation – currently touring in Washington DC – has astounded many in the US political circles.

Following the meeting with Somaliland delegation, she tweeted that the US government is committed to a Single Somalia policy.

The current US foreign policy towards Somalia is highly ambiguous and clearly confusing. The State Department has recently issued several warnings and threats regarding the upcoming elections and political disputes in that country

In the first week of February, US state department has restricted the issuance of visas to former and current Somali government officials. Additional visas restrictions imposed on Somali governments officials took effect on March 16,2022.

Accordingly, this meeting in the state department attended by the leaders of Somaliland Republic directly violates the position of US state department as to Somalia if the Single Somalia Policy adopted by the US that deems Somaliland to be a part of Somalia is considered, arguably in this context. However, in reality, receiving Somaliland President and his delegation at the state department – while the issuance of visas to the leaders of Somalia restricted – itself is a subtle acknowledgement that Somaliland is different and independent from Somalia.

The conflicting statements on America’s policy on the Horn of Africa- particularly on Somalia – pouring out of the state department came as a shock to senators on the Senate Foreign Relations committee, such as Senator Risch, who publicly expressed its disturbance. Ranking Republican Senator – Risch of Idaho – tweeted that US policy in the Horn of Africa is ambiguous and biased

Joshua Meservey – the Senior Policy Analyst for Africa and the Middle East at the Heritage Foundation – tweeted about the current attention of the US Congress scrutinizing the Single Somalia Policy of the state department.

Confusion over the state department’s handling of its foreign policy on Somalia incited the action of certain congresspersons in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee like Senator Jim Risch, Senator Chris Van Holland, and Senator Mike Rounds – to introduce regulation challenging the Single Somalia Policy and calling for dealing directly with the Republic of Somaliland.

About the Senators:

Chris Van Hollen, in full Christopher Van Hollen, Jr., was elected to the U.S. Senate as a Democrat in 2016, representing Maryland

Jim Risch, in full James Elroy Risch, was elected as a Republican to the U.S. Senate in 2008, representing Idaho

Mike Rounds, in full Marion Michael Rounds, was elected as a Republican to the U.S. Senate in 2014, began representing South Dakota

Somaliland Partnership Act 

Scott Gordon Perry is the U.S. representative for Pennsylvania’s 10th congressional district since 2013.

H.R.7170 – To recognize Somaliland as a separate, independent country.

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