Somaliland proposes hosting US military base in exchange for independence recognition

The self-declared Republic of Somaliland has announced its readiness to host a US military base in the strategic port city of Berbera, provided such an arrangement aligns with the mutual interests of both nations. 

“Somaliland would be ready to host a US military base in Berbera if it serves the mutual interests of our two nations,” Bashir Goth, Somaliland’s representative to the United States said, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

He emphasized that this potential cooperation is not contingent on US recognition of Somaliland’s sovereignty, though he expressed hope that such recognition might come under President Donald Trump’s administration.

“We consider ourselves an independent and sovereign state. Therefore, we evaluate any partnerships with friendly nations exclusively through the prism of our national interests,” Goth stated, addressing concerns about potential ramifications for Somaliland’s strained relationship with Somalia.

Recent reports from the publication Semafor suggest that a Trump presidency could significantly accelerate US recognition of Somaliland as an independent state. Such a move could enhance US intelligence operations in the volatile region, including monitoring arms transfers, observing Chinese activities from its military base in Djibouti, and tracking Houthi movements in Yemen.

Thomas Wolf, a political analyst with Kenya-based research centre TIFA, indicated that recognizing Somaliland’s sovereignty would provide the US with strategic advantages. “Trump, after assuming office, may declare recognition of Somaliland to leverage Berbera’s port on the Red Sea, including for military purposes,” he noted.

Somaliland, located in the northwest of Somalia along the Red Sea, declared independence unilaterally in 1991 but has not received international recognition. It operates its own currency, military, and issues passports.

In January 2024, Somaliland signed an agreement with Ethiopia granting lease rights to the Berbera port in exchange for Ethiopia’s recognition of Somaliland’s independence. This deal intensified tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia’s federal government, which refuses to acknowledge Somaliland’s sovereign status.

On December 12, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced a breakthrough in negotiations between Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. Talks held in Ankara resulted in a joint declaration, committing the two nations to resolve their disputes through Turkish-mediated technical discussions by February 2025. A bilateral agreement is anticipated within four months of these discussions.