By Prof. Nassir Hussein Kahin, Hargeisa, Somaliland.

In a landslide election that marked a historic moment for Somaliland, Dr. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdilahi “Ciro” rose to power as the country’s new President, promising to deliver the recognition efforts with due credit championed by his predecessor,Former President Muse Bixi Abdi, that Somaliland has sought since its secession from Somalia in 1991. Bolstered by widespread support at home and a carefully curated diplomatic team led by his newly appointed Foreign Affairs Minister, Abdirahman Dahir Aden, President Ciro is setting Somaliland on a bold and decisive path toward international legitimacy.

Faced with complex geopolitical rivalries and regional challenges, Ciro’s administration has approached the question of recognition with unprecedented vigor, implementing a multifaceted strategy designed to secure Somaliland’s place on the global stage.

A Unified Leadership for Somaliland’s Aspirations

President Ciro, a seasoned statesman and a unifying figure for Somalilanders, has wasted no time in recalibrating the nation’s foreign policy. His administration’s approach is marked by pragmatism and bold initiatives, underscored by his Foreign Affairs Minister and the appointments of seasoned diplomats with deep ties across Africa, the Gulf, and the West.

In his inaugural speech, Ciro pledged to “leave no stone unturned” in securing recognition, emphasizing the importance of regional cooperation, global alliances, and demonstrating Somaliland’s undeniable value as a stabilizing force in the Horn of Africa.

At the same time, Ciro has prioritized peace and development in the eastern regions of Sool and Sanaag, which have long been a focal point of Mogadishu’s destabilizing strategies supported by China and Egypt to undermine Somaliland’s sovereignty. As part of his campaign pledge, Ciro has appointed top peace envoys to mediate with local clans, promote reconciliation, and deliver government services to these regions. His administration has also appointed federal minsters representing the eastern regions of Somaliland to ensure that Sool and Sanaag are fully integrated into Somaliland’s governance, laying the groundwork for lasting peace and prosperity.

“We are a nation that has proved itself—through peace, democracy, and governance. Now is the time for the world to recognize Somaliland for what it is: a sovereign state contributing to regional and global stability,” President Ciro declared.

Reinforcing the Somaliland-Ethiopia Strategic Alliance

Central to President Ciro’s strategy is the MoU signed with Ethiopia in 2024, granting Addis Ababa long-term access to the Berbera Port for military and commercial use. Recognizing Ethiopia’s growing reliance on Somaliland as a vital trade route, Ciro has worked to deepen this alliance.

His administration is finalizing key infrastructure projects, such as the Berbera Corridor, while ensuring Ethiopia remains fully invested in Somaliland’s stability. Ciro has also positioned Somaliland as a neutral mediator in the Ethiopia-Egypt GERD dispute, preventing tensions from spilling over into the Somaliland-Ethiopia partnership.

By demonstrating to Addis Ababa that Somaliland is its most stable and reliable maritime partner, President Ciro has ensured that Ethiopia’s support for Somaliland’s sovereignty becomes an indispensable part of Addis Ababa’s long-term geopolitical strategy.

Somalia’s recent collaboration with Ethiopia to secure Red Sea access has presented a direct challenge to Somaliland’s control of its coastline. President Ciro’s response has been firm and strategic.

Under his leadership, Somaliland is strengthening its maritime security infrastructure, working with global partners such as the U.S., NATO, and regional allies like the U.A.E., to ensure that its waters remain secure and its sovereignty respected. His administration has also launched a robust diplomatic campaign to highlight Somalia’s internal instability and demonstrate why Somaliland is the region’s most reliable partner for trade and governance.

On the domestic front, Ciro has worked tirelessly to counter Mogadishu’s influence in Sool and Sanaag. His peace envoys have focused on grassroots reconciliation efforts, building trust with local communities, and addressing grievances that have been exploited by the Mogadishu regime. This approach is designed not only to strengthen Somaliland’s internal cohesion but also to present a united front to the international community.

“We are the gateway to stability in the Horn of Africa,” the Foreign Affairs Minister recently stated. “Somalia’s chaotic ambitions cannot undermine the stability and progress that Somaliland represents.”

Navigating the Ankara Agreement and Regional Rivalries

The Ankara Agreement between Turkey, Ethiopia, and Somalia presented Somaliland with a significant challenge, given Turkey’s opposition to Somaliland’s independence. President Ciro’s approach to this alliance has been both measured and innovative.

Ciro has sought to compartmentalize Ethiopia’s relationship with Turkey and Somalia, ensuring that Ethiopia’s deepening ties with Ankara do not jeopardize its reliance on Somaliland. Meanwhile, the administration has opened discreet channels with Turkey, inviting Turkish businesses to invest in neutral sectors such as energy and agriculture, signaling Somaliland’s openness to economic collaboration despite political disagreements.

Similarly, President Ciro has made diplomatic overtures to Egypt, offering trade privileges at Berbera Port to offset Cairo’s concerns about Somaliland’s partnership with Ethiopia. By balancing these rivalries, Ciro is proving that Somaliland can be a pragmatic and constructive player in regional politics.

Defying Chinese Pressure Through Stronger Ties with Taiwan

China’s opposition to Somaliland’s strong relationship with Taiwan remains a significant obstacle. However, President Ciro has doubled down on his country’s commitment to Taiwan, framing the partnership as a shared commitment to democracy and mutual economic benefit.

Under Ciro’s leadership, Somaliland has broadened its alliances to counterbalance Chinese pressure. The administration has deepened ties with the U.S., EU, Japan, and India, presenting Somaliland as a reliable democratic ally in the Horn of Africa.

Winning Hearts in the International Community

Perhaps the most transformative aspect of President Ciro’s strategy is his administration’s proactive international outreach. In recent months, Somaliland has hosted high-level delegations from the U.S. Congress, the European Parliament, and various African nations. The administration has also ramped up efforts to engage the Somaliland diaspora in lobbying Western governments to support recognition.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry has prioritized showcasing Somaliland’s democratic success story, its respect for human rights, and its role as a regional stabilizer. By presenting Somaliland as a beacon of democracy and a bulwark against extremism in the Horn of Africa, President Ciro is reshaping how the world views the unrecognized state.

A Future of Recognition on the Horizon

Under President Ciro’s leadership, Somaliland is closer than ever to achieving its goal of international recognition. His administration’s pragmatic and forward-thinking approach to diplomacy has positioned Somaliland as a vital partner in one of the world’s most strategically significant regions.

And now, a new and historic opportunity has emerged. The United States has signaled its acknowledgment of Somaliland’s democracy, stability, and strategic importance by announcing plans to establish a diplomatic office in Hargeisa. This landmark decision marks the first concrete step by a major power toward formal recognition.

President Ciro’s administration is already preparing to leverage this development to further Somaliland’s case on the international stage. Simultaneously, the President’s top peace envoys are working tirelessly to bring peace and prosperity to the eastern regions of Sool and Sanaag, ensuring the unity and strength of Somaliland as a nation.

Though challenges remain—Somalia’s opposition, regional rivalries, and global geopolitical pressures—Ciro’s administration has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to overcoming them. With U.S. backing and growing support from other nations, Somaliland’s long-awaited recognition may finally be within reach.

By Nassir Hussein Kahin, Hargeisa, Somaliland.

The United States is showing increased interest in Somaliland, considering the establishment of an official diplomatic office in Hargeisa as part of its strategy to counter China’s growing influence in the Horn of Africa. This interest coincides with a shift in power in both the U.S. and Somaliland, with a new administration taking over in Hargeisa following Somaliland’s presidential election in November 2024 and with a new Trump administration in Washington.

Recent Posts on X and reports suggest that high-level U.S. officials, including from AFRICOM, have visited Somaliland, signaling a ramp-up in engagement. The potential for a U.S. diplomatic office in Hargeisa, Somaliland has been a topic of discussion, especially with the new Trump administration reportedly considering formal recognition of Somaliland as a sovereign state. This approach is seen as part of a broader strategy to push back against Chinese influence in Africa, highlighted in policy documents like Project 2025.

As a result, Somalia’s Federal Parliament and foreign affairs committees have vehemently intensified their efforts on social media and other platforms, pushing a narrative against U.S. engagement with Somaliland.
These campaigns, laden with inaccuracies and misrepresentations, aim to discredit Somaliland’s legitimate quest for international recognition. However, a closer analysis reveals stark contrasts between Somaliland and Somalia in governance, stability, and their respective relationships with the international community. These differences highlight Somaliland’s credibility as a partner and expose the flaws in the propaganda campaigns designed to undermine its legitimacy.

For example, the claim that Somaliland is a regime rife with human rights abuses, fraudulent elections, and ethnic marginalization is a distortion of reality. For decades, Somaliland has stood out as a beacon of peace and stability in the Horn of Africa, a region notorious for its political volatility. Somaliland has held multiple credible elections, developed an inclusive governance system, and maintained the rule of law. Unlike Mogadishu, which is plagued by corruption, clan-based rivalries, and the diversion of foreign aid, Somaliland has demonstrated resilience and a commitment to democratic principles as the world witnessed in its latest peaceful November 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections and its current inclusive representative government.

Furthermore, the false accusations regarding alleged human rights violations in Somaliland’s eastern regions of Sool, Sanaag, and Cayn (SSC) regions is propaganda.These allegations often originate from groups aiming to delegitimize Somaliland’s authority rather than from neutral observers. The evidence presented thus far remains anecdotal and politicized. Meanwhile, Mogadishu’s governance is under constant scrutiny from international watchdogs that have documented systemic corruption, foreign aid mismanagement, and a pattern of suppressing dissent. The contrast between Somaliland’s relative transparency and Mogadishu’s entrenched problems speaks volumes about their respective governance structures.

Somalia’s criticism of Somaliland’s lobbying efforts in Washington, D.C., is another cornerstone of its propaganda. The claim that Somaliland manipulates U.S. policy is not only ironic but also hypocritical, given Mogadishu’s own notorious reliance on foreign aid to fund extensive lobbying campaigns. Reports indicate that Somalia’s federal government, including President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, has diverted significant resources intended for humanitarian aid to pay high-profile lobbying firms in the U.S. These funds, desperately needed to address Somalia’s dire economic and humanitarian crises, have instead been used to undermine Somaliland’s bid for recognition.

In contrast, Somaliland’s lobbying efforts reflect its democratic aspirations and strategic priorities. Its outreach to the U.S. and other international actors is rooted in its track record of peace, stability, and governance. Far from being an exercise in manipulation, Somaliland’s approach demonstrates its determination to secure recognition on the merits of its accomplishments. It is Mogadishu’s own use of lobbying, funded by diverted aid, that raises serious ethical questions.

The strategic argument against U.S. engagement with Somaliland is deeply flawed. The Berbera Port, developed in partnership with the UAE’s DP World, exemplifies Somaliland’s forward-thinking economic strategy. This modern, high-capacity port connects landlocked Ethiopia to global trade and has become a critical hub for regional commerce. Mogadishu, on the other hand, has struggled to develop comparable infrastructure.

Claims that Zeila could serve as an alternative trade hub are unfounded, as the port lacks the modern facilities and investments that Berbera enjoys. The suggestion that the U.S. should focus instead on establishing a military base in Zeila—a port that Mogadishu claims as part of Somalia’s “Awdal State”—is both impractical and disingenuous. Zeila is geographically and politically part of Somaliland, and Mogadishu’s claim to it lacks historical or legal basis. The reality is that Awdal is an integral part of Somaliland, and its people overwhelmingly support Somaliland’s sovereignty. Such proposals highlight Mogadishu’s desperation on how far its inability to acknowledge the wishes of Somalilanders and its disregard for historical and political realities

Somaliland has consistently demonstrated its willingness to cooperate with Western partners and maintain transparency in its dealings, making it a reliable ally. This stands in stark contrast to Mogadishu’s vulnerability to external influences. Somalia’s close ties with countries like China, Egypt and Turkey, whose regional agendas often conflict with U.S. interests, further complicate its role as a potential partner. Somaliland’s independent and cooperative stance positions it as a more credible option for the U.S. to engage with strategically.

The “One-Somalia” policy, long upheld by the international community, is an outdated framework that fails to reflect the realities on the ground. Somalia remains fractured, with its federal government struggling to exert meaningful authority beyond Mogadishu. The federal system is marred by clan rivalries and governance breakdowns, leaving Somalia unable to unify its various regions. Meanwhile, Somaliland’s decades-long autonomy and its functioning governance structure render the “One-Somalia” unattainable.

Somaliland has consistently resisted destabilizing influences and prioritized regional stability. Unlike Somalia, which has been vulnerable to foreign interference from countries like Egypt, Turkey and China, Somaliland has maintained peaceful relations with its neighbors, including Ethiopia, while focusing on economic development. This independent approach underscores Somaliland’s potential as a reliable partner for the U.S. and other international actors.

Opposition to U.S. engagement with Somaliland often hinges on fears of alienating Somalia or provoking China. Yet this perspective underestimates Somaliland’s importance in countering Chinese expansionism in Africa. By strengthening ties with Hargeisa, the U.S. can support a partner aligned with democratic values and free from Beijing’s influence. Somaliland’s strong diplomatic ties with Taiwan further underscore its willingness to stand against China’s global ambitions.

Recognizing Somaliland’s sovereignty is not merely a geopolitical necessity but also a moral imperative. Somaliland’s consistent governance, economic vision, and political stability offer the U.S. a unique opportunity to strengthen its position in the Horn of Africa. Supporting Somaliland aligns with American values of democracy, self-determination, and responsible governance. As the United States considers its strategy in the Horn of Africa to counter China’s growing influence, establishing a diplomatic presence in Hargeisa, Somaliland emerges as a decisive and pragmatic choice.