Recognition of Somaliland as an independent nation by the U.S. government is likely on the horizon, claims the republic’s president. The move, proposed in the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, would match the vision of many conservatives.
The Republic of Somaliland declared its independence from Somalia in 1991 at the outbreak of Somalia’s disintegration. Somaliland comprises the sector of coastal Northern Somali territory formerly under British rule. With a population of 6 million, it has managed to avoid over 30 years of chaos. This stability has not come at the cost of political freedom; Somaliland has been recognized as one of Africa’s few functioning democracies.
Elections were held in December of 2024 as the nation celebrated the victory of President Donald Trump, who is seen as sympathetic to their independence. Despite a contentious contest, opposition candidate Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi was victorious and the republic saw another peaceful transfer of power.
Although unable to take action, governments in Somalia have consistently viewed Somaliland and its self-governance as an illegal secessionist movement. As a result, no United Nations member state formally recognizes Somaliland, although the nation maintains strong ties to the Republic of China (Taiwan). President Abdullahi claims it is a matter of “not if, but when” more nations will add themselves to that number.
The Guardian reported that the Trump administration might use recognition of Somaliland as a means of securing a strategic position in the Gulf of Aden, near where Houthi terrorists have targeted American ships. Lending credence to the report, senior leadership of the United States Army recently visited Somaliland’s capital of Hargeisa.
The decision would be welcomed in many circles on the American political right. Champions of Somaliland in conservative circles have ranged from the noninterventionist The American Conservative to the neoconservative-allied Hudson Institute.
Pennsylvania Republican Scott Perry introduced House legislation recognizing Somaliland in 2023. Several Republicans co-sponsored, but Squad member Ilhan Omar emerged as Somaliland’s strongest congressional opponent. Omar has described herself as “patriotic” to Somalia and referred to Somalia’s president as “my president.”
Due to Somaliland’s close relationship with Taiwan and staunch anti-communism, the Heritage Foundation argues that it offers a relative sympathizer for American conservative values in an Africa often dominated by Chinese interests. The relationship has been leveraged by the breakaway state’s government. Its former president, Muse Bihi Abdi, spoke to the Heritage Foundation in 2022, declaring “we share the same values.”
Somaliland’s leadership stands out on the global stage for having nothing but praise for Trump. Although the step of recognition has not yet been taken, it would please conservatives who view Somaliland as both a counterweight to Chinese influence and a foreign aid free success story unto itself.
Shiv Parihar is a writer at The American Spectator. Follow him on X at @ShivomMParihar.
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