Somaliland has announced its readiness to enter into a deal with the United States regarding its mineral resources and allow Washington to establish military bases on the Gulf of Aden, Somaliland’s Minister of the Presidency, Khadar Hussein Abdi, told AFP.
The minister made it clear that Somaliland is seriously interested in reaching a strategic agreement with the United States. “We are ready to give the United States exclusive access to our minerals. We are also open to providing military bases,” the minister said.
He added that he was hopeful that the talks would be fruitful. “I believe we will reach an agreement with the United States,” he told AFP.
The minister also did not rule out the possibility of Israel establishing a military base in Somaliland, particularly in the strategic Berbera area. The Somaliland president recently announced that he was working on mineral and technology deals with Israel.
The AFP report said Somaliland officials claim their land is rich in valuable minerals such as lithium and coltan, although there has been no independent verification of this.
The statement comes as Somaliland is redoubled its efforts to gain international recognition, after Israel in December expressed its support for Somaliland’s independence, citing Somaliland’s geographical location as a key factor in international security and trade.
Meanwhile, the Somali federal government has strongly opposed any possible agreement with a foreign state, saying Somaliland is part of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
