The United States has said it is working on a plan to engage with Somaliland, amid ongoing efforts by the United States to recognize Somaliland.
US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said he has been studying Washington’s engagement with Somaliland for some time now. He was responding to a comment from a Somaliland Twitter user on X.
Landau’s response, written by someone using the name Burco Kid, was as follows: “Good job Deputy Secretary, please cut off all funding to failed Somalia, a haven for terrorists. Somaliland is ready to host its US allies in Berbera to counter Chinese influence.”
Landau, in a direct response to Burco Kid’s suggestion, said: “I have been looking at this issue closely for some time now,” indicating that the US government is considering engaging directly with Somaliland. Recently, US media reported that preliminary talks on recognizing Somaliland have begun between Somaliland and the US.
American politicians who advocate for the recognition of Somaliland argue that Somaliland is the only democracy in the Horn of Africa, and a strategic and peaceful place, which has refused to engage with China. As such, it could be key to securing the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea, and countering Chinese and Iranian influence in the region.
The Federal Government of Somalia, for its part, is making efforts to prevent direct contact between Washington and Hargeisa. As reported, has sent letters to President Trump and influential people in American politics, such as Elon Musk, to convince the Trump administration to refrain from relations with Somaliland.
Somaliland’s Foreign Minister, Abdirahman Aden Bakal, is currently in the United States, and he said that the time has come to recognize Somaliland, and that society needs to participate unitedly in realizing that goal.
