President Donald Trump has been reluctant for the United States to officially recognize Somaliland’s independence, even after Israel’s groundbreaking recognition.
Israel became the first nation to officially recognize Somaliland as independent from Somalia on Boxing Day.
However, Trump has signaled he’s not ready to follow suit, prioritizing other issues like the Gaza Strip cease-fire and reconstruction efforts.
The region does have some strategic opportunities, like Somaliland’s offer of a naval base near the Red Sea.
Supporters of recognition argue that it could be a chance to secure U.S. interests without deeper entanglement.
Somaliland, a former British protectorate, has operated as a de facto independent state since 1991, carving out a stable democracy with peaceful power transitions, unlike the chaos often seen in Somalia’s Mogadishu-based government.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made history by recognizing Somaliland’s sovereignty on December 26, 2025.
Netanyahu even held a video call with Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi to celebrate the diplomatic milestone.
The Israeli PM also told Abdullahi:
“I’ll communicate to President Trump your willingness and desire to join the Abraham Accords.”
Yet Trump, who brokered a cease-fire in Gaza and now chairs a U.N.-approved Board of Peace for the region’s reconstruction, seems unmoved by Netanyahu’s advocacy.
The president is expected to discuss this and other matters with Netanyahu when they meet on Monday.
When pressed on Somaliland, Trump told The New York Post, “Just say, ‘No.’”
That blunt dismissal suggests a lack of urgency, leaving conservatives to question whether strategic gains in the Gulf of Aden are being sidelined for less tangible wins.
Somaliland’s offers are hardly trivial, however.
They’ve proposed land for a U.S. naval base near the Red Sea’s mouth and a port on the Gulf of Aden, a critical spot for American military and economic interests.
Gen. Dagvin Anderson of U.S. Africa Command visited Somaliland recently, sparking local hopes for a potential deal, but no firm commitments have emerged from Washington.
On Capitol Hill, Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA), a Trump ally, is pushing the “Republic of Somaliland Independence Act,” backed by fellow conservatives like Reps. Tom Tiffany, Andy Ogles, and Tim Burchett, all of whom see the region’s potential.
Meanwhile, opposition comes from figures like Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), a Somali born in Mogadishu.
Omar staunchly defends Somalia’s territorial claims, leaving little room for compromise on Somaliland’s autonomy.
Somaliland enjoys support from Ethiopia and the UAE, but faces pushback from Egypt and Turkey, creating a complex web of alliances that the U.S. must navigate carefully.
Trump’s broader frustrations with Somalia, including his recent criticism of alleged taxpayer exploitation in Minnesota tied to Democrat policies, only add fuel to the debate over whether Somaliland deserves a closer look as a reliable partner.
For now, policy hawks alike are left wondering if Trump’s hesitation is a rare moment of restraint in a world begging for American overreach.
With strategic ports and bases up for grabs, the clock is ticking.
READ MORE – Journalist Exposes Minnesota ‘Daycares’ Linked to Somali Fraudsters’ Billion-Dollar Scam
Our comment section is restricted to members of the Slay News community only.
To join, create a free account HERE.
If you are already a member, log in HERE.