Why the US should recognize Somaliland: A game-changer for security and strategy.
Somaliland’s Berbera port sits at the heart of a global power struggle; As China, Iran and Russia tighten their grip on vital waterways, the US risks losing a key ally in the Horn of Africa by clinging to outdated policies.
The world is watching as a diplomatic battle unfolds over Somaliland’s Berbera port and airbase. The stakes? Control over one of the most strategic maritime chokepoints on the planet. For years, Somaliland has functioned as an independent, stable democracy, yet Washington continues to defer to a failing Somali federal government that has no real authority over its territory. This outdated policy is costing the U.S. and its allies—including Israel—an opportunity to lock in a critical foothold in the Horn of Africa before China, Iran, or Russia fill the vacuum.
This isn’t just another African territorial dispute; it’s a battle for global influence. Somaliland’s Berbera port offers a direct line of access to the Gulf of Aden and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a passage through which nearly 12% of global trade flows. It’s no coincidence that China has been aggressively expanding its influence in the region, securing military and economic partnerships to establish dominance. Meanwhile, Iran’s proxy wars in Yemen are inching closer, threatening maritime security in the Red Sea. The U.S. cannot afford to sit idly by while adversaries tighten their grip on these critical waterways.
Somaliland, by contrast, has successfully resisted Islamist infiltration. It has refused to allow Al-Shabaab a foothold, demonstrating its ability to maintain security where Mogadishu has failed. Recognizing Somaliland would bolster counterterrorism efforts, creating a reliable partner in the region to counteract the spread of extremism. Instead of funneling aid into a corrupt and ineffective Somali government, the U.S. could work directly with a stable and willing ally to dismantle terrorist networks and prevent jihadist expansion.