Somaliland offers strategic access in its bid for US recognition

Somaliland’s president, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, told Semafor he is offering commercial and potentially military access as he seeks US recognition. Berbera’s port, mineral resources and possible base arrangements are bargaining assets; he has not announced a new American base.

The strategic argument rests on geography. Berbera lies on the Gulf of Aden, near the Red Sea’s southern gateway, giving it value for logistics and regional operations. Abdullahi wants security and economic benefits in return, alongside diplomatic recognition.

Somalia rejects the territory’s sovereignty claim and regards its coastline and resources as Somali. Any agreement would therefore enter an existing territorial dispute, not merely settle an infrastructure investment.

Abdullahi also resisted a simple choice of geopolitical camp: he said Taiwan’s representative office would remain while Chinese investment would be welcome without political conditions. The interview captures a government trying to convert useful geography into recognition without surrendering every other relationship.