Tag: red sea

Ilhan Omar: The Shadow Ally of China, Sabotaging U.S. Interests in the Horn of Africa!

Ilhan Omar: The Shadow Ally of China, Sabotaging U.S. Interests in the Horn of Africa!

Ilhan Omar’s efforts to undermine a U.S.-Somaliland partnership represent a stark betrayal of American geopolitical interests. While openly championing Somalia’s agenda, she worked behind the scenes to block the U.S. from forging a strategic alliance with the stable and sovereign Republic of Somaliland. Her actions effectively handed China a golden opportunity to solidify it’s dominance in the Horn of Africa. Under Biden’s watch, this has only emboldened Beijing’s ambitions in the region. In a video addressing a Somalian audience, Omar openly boasted about her close ties to Somalia’s president and it’s regime, raising serious questions about her loyalty and whose interests she truly serves.


The timing couldn’t be better. After Ilhan Omar’s meddling undermined U.S. interests in the Horn of Africa, President Trump stepped in with a bold, strategic move that could shift the balance of power in the region. During his campaign, plans emerged to re-recognize the Republic of Somaliland – a state that has held its sovereignty since June 26, 1960, within his first 100 days in office. This wasn’t a symbolic gesture; it was a calculated response to China’s growing influence in Africa and a way to secure America’s position in a crucial geopolitical hotspot.

Yes, you read that right. This wasn’t just a symbolic gesture; it was a calculated move to secure a vital U.S. foothold in Africa as its position in Djibouti began to deteriorate.

Transactional Diplomacy? You Bet.

We all know Trump’s approach to foreign policy is far from traditional. His “transactional” style – make a deal, secure something in return, raises eyebrows but delivers results. So, what’s in this deal for the U.S. and Republic of Somaliland?

Here’s the play: Somaliland, a peaceful, stable country with a thriving democracy and a supreme strategic location, is offering the U.S. a military base in exchange for formal re-recognition. A U.S. base could not only strengthen the fight against China’s dominance in Africa, but it also puts the U.S. in prime position to counter Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen. It’s about securing key strategic maritime routes and maintaining U.S. power in one of the world’s most volatile regions and let’s face it – Trump knows exactly how to leverage situations to make a deal that works.

Somaliland: A Key Player in the Red Sea

Republic of Somaliland controls a crucial piece of the Red Sea, near the Bab El-Mandeb Strait – one of the world’s most important maritime choke points. Whoever holds sway here controls not just trade but power over oil shipping routes and naval movements in and out of the Mediterranean, Red Sea, and beyond.

But it’s not just about trade. It’s about military presence, global influence, and sending a message. By establishing a U.S. base there, the U.S. would disrupt China’s growing reach in the region, especially with China’s military base just a stone’s throw away in Djibouti. China has already set up its first and only military base outside its borders in Djibouti, directly facing Somaliland. This makes Somaliland strategic location even more critical for any country looking to maintain a foothold in the region. This is a much-needed counterbalance in an increasingly contested region. The significance of this choke point, China’s own foreign policy move to intimidate and coerce Republic of Somaliland into abandoning its ties with Taiwan has led to serious geopolitical flashpoints.

China’s Influence: A Game of Pressure

China is keen on limiting U.S. involvement and influencing Republic of Somaliland relationships. Their strategy? Pressure Somaliland to cut ties with Taiwan, halt its engagements with the U.S., and sow division in the region. Beijing knows that the more destabilized Somaliland becomes, the easier it is to curtail Western influence – and in particular, stop the U.S. military from gaining a foothold in a region of unmatched significance.

In 2023, the eastern regions of the Republic of Somaliland were plunged into a proxy war, one that China is still sponsoring it. But who helped trigger this geopolitical mess? Ilhan Omar. An outspoken advocate for a “Somalian-first” agenda, Omar didn’t just sit on the sidelines – she actively sabotaged the burgeoning U.S.-Somaliland partnership. How? She leaked confidential details about the U.S.-Somaliland partnership Act, which was making its way through Congress, directly to the Somalian government as a deliberate betrayal.

 

Omar, a key member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, had deep personal ties to Somalian interests. She saw herself as a self-appointed defender of Somalian nationalism in the U.S. Congress. Yet, her actions, working behind the scenes with the Somalian government, allowed China to exploit the situation by backing a militia to start its proxy war against Somaliland eastern regions. Why? Because Somalia, seeing the growing U.S.-Somaliland ties, feared it would threaten its own grip on U.S. foreign aid and regional influence. Somalia has long blackmailed the U.S., portraying any strategic partnership with Somaliland as a destabilizing force that could topple their fragile, failed state – forgetting that Somalia’s failure has been a decades-long saga that couldn’t possibly get any worse. (ISIS, Al-shabaab, Piracy, ties with the Houthis & Iran) This blackmail strategy, propped up by the failed and non existent “One Somalia” policy championed by Democrats and cemented by Hillary Clinton’s legacy which recognized the Somalian non existent government back in 2012 – despite its lack of legitimacy and no meaningful authority on the ground – the U.S. became a source of endless handouts funneled through corrupt UN offices, ATMIS forces, and the Somalian artificial government, all siphoning billions of U.S. taxpayer dollars with no real return or tangible benefits. By undermining that partnership, Omar knowingly allowed China to step in and tighten its hold in the Horn of Africa.

 

The Ilhan Omar Factor: A Complex Political Puzzle

Ilhan Omar’s actions in 2022 raise serious questions about her loyalty to U.S. interests. Her personal and intimate visit to Somalia as a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and interference with the U.S.-Somaliland partnership helped China tighten its grip on the Horn of Africa. By blocking a strategic U.S. alliance, she effectively aligned with Somalia’s and China’s agendas, sabotaging American geopolitical goals.

 

The real question now: Should the Trump administration investigate whether a sitting congresswoman is putting America’s national security at risk to serve foreign powers? These aren’t just political missteps. They could be a betrayal of U.S. interests.

 

Stopping the Houthi Threat – Before It’s Too Late

The situation in Yemen continues to deteriorate, as Iranian-backed Houthis fire missiles at international vessels. With Somalia still struggling and the U.S. trying to fight from across the region, Somaliland offers a closer, more strategic base to push back against the Houthis’ expansion. This is security at its finest – stopping regional instability before it spreads and threatens vital trade routes.

Is Somaliland the U.S.’s Most Strategic Geopolitical Ally in the Horn of Africa? Absolutely.

For critics of Trump’s transactional diplomacy, here’s a quick reality check: in international relations, pragmatism is often a game-changer. Somaliland isn’t just another “breakaway region” trying to get recognized; It’s an emerging power in a strategic location, its statehood has never been in question, dating back to June 26, 1960 and has never ceased to exist. This state is aligned with international law, maintaining its credentials of independence and demarcated boundaries in accordance with the African Union’s 1964 borders. The U.S. and 30+ countries first recognized it. Trump isn’t changing history; he’s re-recognizing Somaliland, a key player in the Horn of Africa with undeniable geopolitical importance.

Somaliland’s own leadership understands the importance of this offer. It’s a classic win-win: Somaliland gets re-recognition, while the U.S. gets a military base on Africa’s most critical stretch of coastline.

Trump’s Legacy: A Foreign Policy Revolution?

What Trump has on the table could change the entire dynamic of U.S. power in the region. If his administration re-recognizes Somaliland, it shifts U.S. alliances in Africa and puts America’s interests first. It’s not about feeling good about some hypothetical nation’s failures – it’s about winning the strategic game. Trump’s re-recognition of Somaliland would act as a warning shot to adversaries while also affirming that global alliances should be based on mutual, actionable interests.

The Bottom Line:

The U.S. needs Somaliland, and Somaliland needs the U.S. But this isn’t just a political gesture – it’s a bold, savvy, and strategic move that signals a new era for American foreign policy. The world needs to recognize the shifting tectonic plates of geopolitics – and if President Trump capitalizes on this opportunity, it could redefine U.S. influence in Africa and beyond.

The real question is: will the U.S. act before it’s too late, or let this opportunity slip through its fingers? The time for re-recognition is now

Author

A geopolitical writer, analyst and a researcher advocating for Somaliland recognition

Message from Somaliland SAG on America’s Evolving Foreign Policy towards Africa

Message from Somaliland SAG on America’s Evolving Foreign Policy towards Africa

Recent changes in Washington have led to a notable transformation in how the United States approaches foreign aid and international relations, with Somaliland emerging as a key partner that aligns closely with America’s fundamental interests. Continue reading “Message from Somaliland SAG on America’s Evolving Foreign Policy towards Africa”

Somalia Ports Inaccessible to Ethiopia, Says Minister Kahin

Somalia Ports Inaccessible to Ethiopia, Says Minister Kahin

The president of Somalia, Mohamud, said on Monday that although his administration does not oppose Ethiopia’s pursuit of the Red Sea access, it does disagree to the suggested path that entails signing an MoU with Somaliland. Continue reading “Somalia Ports Inaccessible to Ethiopia, Says Minister Kahin”

Somaliland’s MoU with Ethiopia is Widely Supported

Somaliland’s MoU with Ethiopia is Widely Supported

The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Ethiopia and Somaliland that granted the former access to the Gulf of Aden, adjacent to the Red Sea, has sparked significant discussions among scholars and policymakers. Continue reading “Somaliland’s MoU with Ethiopia is Widely Supported”

Tibor Nagy: Ethio-Somaliland MoU Promising to Pacify Red Sea Region

Tibor Nagy: Ethio-Somaliland MoU Promising to Pacify Red Sea Region

The Ethiopia-Somaliland seaport access deal vital to ensure stability across Red Sea region that recently has seen an increasing turmoil, former U.S. diplomat said. Continue reading “Tibor Nagy: Ethio-Somaliland MoU Promising to Pacify Red Sea Region”

Lord Cameron, the UK Foreign Secretary, for the Recognition of Somaliland

Lord Cameron, the UK Foreign Secretary, for the Recognition of Somaliland

Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron has met with a senior Tory MP to discuss the formal recognition of a Somaliland as the Red Sea crisis escalates. Continue reading “Lord Cameron, the UK Foreign Secretary, for the Recognition of Somaliland”

Somaliland’s Pathway to International Recognition

Somaliland’s Pathway to International Recognition

On January 1st, 2024, Ethiopia and Somaliland announced a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which promises to reconfigure the geopolitics of the Horn of Africa. The MoU grants Ethiopia access to the sea, in which it will lease 20 kilometers of coastline. In return, Ethiopia has agreed to recognize Somaliland, which also is due to receive a stake in Ethiopian Airlines.

This agreement has significant implications for the foreign policy of Ethiopia towards Somalia, as it prioritizes its interests and those of Somaliland over historical ties with Somalia. The deal has been met with opposition from the Somalia government, which has declared it null and void. However, Somaliland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that the recognition marks a significant diplomatic milestone for the country. Relevant foreign actors and multilateral organizations have remained cautious in responding to the agreement, refraining from doing anything that might upset the status quo of Somalia’s De Jure authority, while also not explicitly condemning the contents of the agreement.

President Muse Bihi and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of Cooperation and Partnership between Somaliland and Ethiopia, granting Ethiopia access to the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. During the signing ceremony in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, Abiy Ahmed stated, “We have agreed with our Somaliland brothers, and MoU has been signed today,”

 

 

President Muse Bihi of Somaliland declared that in accordance with the agreement, Ethiopia would be the first nation to acknowledge Somaliland’s independence in the near future.” By signing this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Somaliland will lease Ethiopia 20 kilometers of its coastline. In return, Ethiopia will recognize Somaliland and receive a stake in Ethiopian Airlines.

This unprecedented agreement, if implemented, promises to alter the status quo of Ethiopia as a landlocked country and Somaliland as a de facto state, two long-pursued goals. The deal constitutes a significant shift in Ethiopia’s foreign policy towards Somalia, with Ethiopia, by formally recognizing Somaliland, signifying that it will prioritize its interests, as well as those of Somaliland, over its historical ties with Somalia.

Shortly after the agreement was reached, Somalia’s government issued a statement declaring the deal null and void because of its alleged violation of Somalia’s territorial integrity and unity.

According to Mogadishu, Somaliland is still considered part of Somalia, and any attempt to enter into an agreement with it is unlawful. In a statement released by Somalia, “The Somalia government recognizes Ethiopia’s actions as a blatant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia”. In contrast, Somaliland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement avowing that “recognition marks a significant diplomatic milestone for our country”. However, it is important to note that Somaliland and Somalia were two separate sovereign states at the outset of decolonization, prior to their unification under the Somali Republic in 1960, which came to an end in 1991 (historical contextual factors are explained below).

Several multilateral organizations have taken a stance on the issue, including the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD), African Union (AU), European Union (EU), Arab League, and Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OIC). While these organizations did not explicitly endorse the annulment of the agreement, they proposed diplomatic dialogue among all stakeholders. This approach supported Somaliland’s case that international recognition should be treated as a regional and international concern, rather than a local issue between Somaliland and Somalia. Major Powers, including the United States, United Kingdom, Denmark, the Netherlands, Egypt, and Italy, also responded to the agreement, reinforcing their commitment to Somalia’s territorial integrity and unity while refraining from condemning the content of the agreement between Somaliland and Ethiopia.

 

 

This article explores the relationship between these developments and Somaliland’s evolving approach to acquiring long-awaited international recognition. It argues that the Ethiopian-Somaliland Accord marks a turning point for both countries, with Somaliland poised to achieve international recognition and Ethiopia securing access to the sea. All signs indicate that the two countries are committed to implementing the agreement signed in Addis Ababa on January 1, 2024, and the success of the agreement will determine the future of regional integration and cooperation in the Horn of Africa.

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Ethiopia’s Access to Seaport Guarantees Red Sea Security

Ethiopia’s Access to Seaport Guarantees Red Sea Security

Ethiopia’s sovereign access to seaport and its establishment of a naval base would guarantee an enduring peace for the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden region, a scholar familiar with the issue said.

Speaking to the Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA), a Political Science Scholar Prof. Biruk Hailu stated that Ethiopia’s acquisition of a sea gate in the strategic, yet volatile region is of great significance to the area’s maritime security and repulsing criminal activities. Continue reading “Ethiopia’s Access to Seaport Guarantees Red Sea Security”

The MoU That Stirring Political Turbulence in the Horn

The MoU That Stirring Political Turbulence in the Horn

The Horn is sharpened again. The entire village might be ablaze soon. The people living in the village are worried, for justified reasons. Continue reading “The MoU That Stirring Political Turbulence in the Horn”

Somalia’s Effort Garnering Support in Denouncing Somaliland MoU with Ethiopia Failed

Somalia’s Effort Garnering Support in Denouncing Somaliland MoU with Ethiopia Failed

The 42nd Extraordinary Assembly of IGAD Heads of State and Government held in Entebbe on January 18, 2024, did not dig deep into the row brewing between Ethiopia and Somalia. Instead, more than two-thirds of the meeting’s proceedings focused on the war in Sudan. Continue reading “Somalia’s Effort Garnering Support in Denouncing Somaliland MoU with Ethiopia Failed”