Somaliland SAG Refutes the Somali Policy Council’s Unfounded Assertions
Washington, D.C. – February 3, 2025 – The Somaliland Strategic Advisory Group (SL-SAG) categorically refutes the misleading and factually incorrect assertions made by the Somali Policy Council (SPC) in its recent letter. The SPC’s claims are a blatant attempt to distort reality and manipulate the United States into continuing its failed investment in Somalia, a country that has squandered three decades of international aid and remains a breeding ground for terrorism. Somaliland, by contrast, is a beacon of democracy, stability, and self-reliance in a volatile region.
Somalia: The Real Failed State
The SPC recklessly likens the recognition of Somaliland to investing in a “distressed asset.” This analogy ignores the fact that Somalia itself is a collapsed state, plagued by lawlessness, terrorism, and corruption. Despite receiving billions in international aid, Somalia has failed to establish a functioning government and remains fragmented under the control of warlords, terrorist groups, and foreign mercenaries. By contrast, Somaliland has built a stable, self-governing democracy with a growing economy and a proven track record in counterterrorism.
Conflict of Interest: The Somali Policy Council’s Misleading Campaign
The SPC is not an independent body, but a lobbyist group funded by the Somali government with $600,000 in international donor money, including U.S. taxpayer funds. Its latest letter is a paid propaganda effort aimed at undermining Somaliland’s legitimate aspirations for international recognition. The United States must not allow itself to be misled by an organization with clear financial and political motives.
Somaliland: A Model of Democracy and Stability
The SPC’s claims that Somaliland is “high-risk” and dominated by a single clan are patently false. Somaliland has held multiple democratic elections, facilitated peaceful transfers of power, and upheld press freedoms and the rule of law—achievements Somalia has never accomplished. Somaliland’s economic resilience, driven by trade and investment, starkly contrasts with Somalia’s reliance on international handouts.
No Links to Terrorism
Contrary to the SPC’s fabricated claims, Somaliland has been at the forefront of counterterrorism efforts, ensuring that extremist groups do not gain a foothold within its borders. Meanwhile, Somalia remains a stronghold for al-Shabaab, which continues to control large portions of its territory and carry out deadly attacks, including against American personnel. The U.S. should recognize Somaliland as the true counterterrorism partner in the Horn of Africa.
U.S. Interests Are Best Served by Recognizing Somaliland
Recognizing Somaliland is a strategic move that will:
• Ensure stability in the Horn of Africa.
• Strengthen U.S. influence through a democratic partner free from terrorist influence.
• Provide a secure base for counterterrorism operations.
• Enable American companies to invest in a stable environment, unlike Somalia.
The Myth of Somali Unity
Somalia has never been a unified state since its collapse in 1991. The SPC’s portrayal of a “strong, unified Somalia” is pure fiction. Somaliland, on the other hand, has built a functioning nation without foreign aid and enjoys strong bilateral ties with Ethiopia, the UAE, Kenya, and other regional powers.
Conclusion: Time for the U.S. to Recognize Reality
The United States must make a clear choice: continue investing in Somalia—a failed state that delivers nothing but terrorism, corruption, and instability—or recognize Somaliland, a proven democratic partner that upholds security, stability, and economic growth. The SPC’s desperate attempt to maintain the illusion of Somali unity should not dictate U.S. foreign policy. It is time to embrace Somaliland as the success story that it is.
The Somali Policy Council’s letter is nothing but a desperate attempt to maintain the illusion of Somali unity while the country continues to collapse. The U.S. does not invest in failure, and Somalia is the very definition of failure. It is time to discard these outdated narratives and support Somaliland—a nation that has already demonstrated its worth.
Somaliland Strategic Advisory Group (SL-SAG)