Somaliland President Says State Recognition ‘On the Horizon’ Following Trump Talks
In a bold statement that could reshape geopolitics in the Horn of Africa, Somaliland’s newly elected president, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, has declared that international recognition of his breakaway state is now “likely.” In an exclusive interview at the presidential palace in Hargeisa, Abdullahi told The Guardian that recognition was no longer a question of if, but when—and who would be the first to do it. The move would mark a historic shift for Somaliland, which has operated as a de facto independent state since it broke away from Somalia in 1991. But it would also risk sparking fierce backlash—not just from Mogadishu, but across a volatile region where borders and allegiances are already in flux. Sources close to Abdullahi suggest that the United States—under a possible second Trump presidency—could be on the verge of recognising Somaliland in exchange for access to a military base in the port city of Berbera, a key location on the Gulf of Aden. U.S. officials have visited Hargeisa multiple times in recent months, including senior military officers and representatives from Washington’s Africa Command. “Somaliland is a partner in security, in counter-terrorism, and in protecting global trade routes,” Abdullahi said. “We are not a liability. We are a solution.” But Somalia has condemned any talks of recognition as a violation of its sovereignty, warning it could trigger further instability. Regional powers such as Ethiopia and the UAE—already invested in Berbera’s infrastructure—are watching closely. Meanwhile, elements of the Trump camp are reportedly pushing to abandon America’s “One Somalia” policy altogether. Adding fuel to the fire, Somaliland has been floated as a possible resettlement location for Palestinians displaced from Gaza—a proposal officials deny is formal, but one that further complicates the narrative. For Somaliland, recognition would bring legitimacy, access to aid, and a seat at the global table. For the region, it could open a dangerous new chapter.
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