Tag: Horn of Africa

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”

Unlike Somalia, Somaliland Mitigating the Impact of Drought

Unlike Somalia, Somaliland Mitigating the Impact of Drought

US media do Somalis a disservice by blaming climate change for famine Continue reading “Unlike Somalia, Somaliland Mitigating the Impact of Drought”

Somaliland: Land Management Strengthens Construction Capacity

Somaliland: Land Management Strengthens Construction Capacity

Improving water and food security through land management and tackling erosion, is complicated. When it’s in Somaliland, it comes with an added challenge Continue reading “Somaliland: Land Management Strengthens Construction Capacity”

Somalia Plotting Competition to Berbera Port

Somalia Plotting Competition to Berbera Port

Somalia will open a deep-water port on its northern coast next month, with a road link forging a new trade route connecting Ethiopia’s south-eastern region with the city of Garacad. Continue reading “Somalia Plotting Competition to Berbera Port”

Pentagon Research Center Quietly Refuted Austin’s Positive Assessments in Africa

Pentagon Research Center Quietly Refuted Austin’s Positive Assessments in Africa

Last month, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin touted the accomplishments of U.S. Africa Command, commending its leaders and personnel for tackling terrorism and making the continent more secure and stable. “Every day, AFRICOM works alongside our friends as full partners — to strengthen bonds, to tackle common threats, and to advance a shared vision of an Africa whose people are safe and prosperous,” he announced at a ceremony honoring the new AFRICOM commander, Gen. Michael Langley. Continue reading “Pentagon Research Center Quietly Refuted Austin’s Positive Assessments in Africa”

Tibor Nagy’s Account on his Trip to Somaliland

Tibor Nagy’s Account on his Trip to Somaliland

Americans like underdogs, especially when they are feisty, self-reliant, and stand up to bullies. I’ve just had the delight of visiting such a place: the self-declared, independent Republic of Somaliland – situated on one of the most strategic pieces of real estate on earth. (Don’t think “Somalia” – the disastrous place of Blackhawk Down – which is right next door on the east but infinitely distant in attitude and success.) Landing in Hargeisa, the capital, reminds one of West Texas, and sure enough the 25-mph wind hits you upon exiting the plane, although there are acacias instead of mesquites and camels in place of the cattle. Continue reading “Tibor Nagy’s Account on his Trip to Somaliland”

Fighting in Ethiopia Stalls Somaliland’s Trade Ambitions

Fighting in Ethiopia Stalls Somaliland’s Trade Ambitions

Berbera port is the main overseas trade gateway of the Republic of Somaliland. The port city is located on the Gulf of Aden – one of the globally most frequented seaways connecting the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean. Continue reading “Fighting in Ethiopia Stalls Somaliland’s Trade Ambitions”

Tedros Remarks Racism Underpins Responses to Global Conflicts

Tedros Remarks Racism Underpins Responses to Global Conflicts

“Maybe the reason is the colour of the skin of the people in Tigray.” Dr Tedros confronted world leaders last week for their neglect of “the worst disaster on earth”—a storm of conflict in Ethiopia, extreme weather across the Horn of Africa, and soaring food, fuel, and fertiliser prices exacerbated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Continue reading “Tedros Remarks Racism Underpins Responses to Global Conflicts”

Somaliland Opportunity: Ethiopia’s Pivoting away from US

Somaliland Opportunity: Ethiopia's Pivoting away from US

The rivalry between the US – on one side – and Russia- China alliance – on the other side – over who should be the global power broker has erupted lately in the Horn of Africa region – that is vital to security, stability, and global trade. Continue reading “Somaliland Opportunity: Ethiopia’s Pivoting away from US”

The Passage of US-Somaliland Partnership Act

The Passage of US-Somaliland Partnership Act

RISCH, VAN HOLLEN, ROUNDS APPLAUD COMMITTEE PASSAGE OF SOMALILAND LEGISLATION

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), chairman and ranking member of the Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy, today applauded committee passage of their Somaliland Partnership Act, legislation requiring the Department of State to report to Congress on engagement with Somaliland, and to conduct a feasibility study, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, regarding the establishment of a partnership between the United States and Somaliland.

“As the Horn of Africa faces a number of complex challenges, the United States should explore all possible mutually-beneficial relationships with stable and democratic partners, including Somaliland,” said Risch. “This legislation requires the administration to review outdated policies and diplomatic frameworks that don’t meet today’s challenges, and to review opportunities for establishing a partnership between the United States and Somaliland. I look forward to engaging with the State Department on this issue in the months ahead.”

“Enhancing our cooperation with those on the Horn of Africa that are committed to making progress on democratic governance and fundamental freedoms is key to advancing U.S. interests and improving stability, especially as this region continues to face increasingly destabilizing currents. That’s why we’re working to strengthen opportunities for the U.S. to engage with Somaliland. Our bill will help ensure the United States explores the greater possibilities of this mutually-beneficial relationship, and I’m glad to see today’s strong show of support from our colleagues on the Committee,” said Van Hollen.

“Somaliland has charted an impressive trajectory over the past several decades, and this legislation acknowledges that,” said Rounds. “Somaliland’s stability, democratic values and shared interests provide a secure foundation upon which to build a mutually beneficial partnership across a number of fronts.”

Background:

The Republic of Somaliland received independence from the United Kingdom on June 26, 1960, prior to the creation of the Somali Republic, and has been a self-declared independent and sovereign state since 1991 that is not internationally recognized. A delegation from Somaliland, led by President Musa Bihi Abdi, visited Washington in March to meet with Congress, Biden Administration officials, and the private sector.

The Somaliland Partnership Act (S.3861) was introduced on March 17, 2022. Text of this legislation as introduced can be found here.