The Opportunity in Somaliland

As America seeks true-blue war allies President Trump could do worse than affirm the independence of Somaliland, a geostrategic spot in the Horn of Africa. Such a deal could be straightforward. A country at the mouth of the Red Sea and the corner of the Indian Ocean is offering America a military base at its key port, and access to critical minerals, including lithium and coltan. All America needs to do in return is formally recognize Somaliland. “Somaliland has emerged as a critical security and diplomatic partner for the United States, helping America advance our national security interests in the Horn of Africa and beyond,” Senator Ted Cruz wrote in August. Last June Congressman Scott Perry of Pennsylvania introduced legislation at the House foreign affairs committee, calling to recognize Somaliland as independent from Somalia. The bill is yet to move out of the committee. In December Israel blazed a trail by affirming Somaliland’s independence. It followed the Republic of China on Taiwan, which had earlier recognized the state. Others, including the European Union, have relations, but don’t recognize Somaliland’s independence. Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates have investments there. Yet Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey are allied with Somalia, which also counts Communist China as a backer.As America and Israel are involved in an epic fight to remake the Middle East, Somaliland’s independence from Somalia deserves a new look. Iran is devastating energy markets by its de-facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran’s ally, the Houthis, might reblock the Red Sea. Saudi Arabia and the UAE are piping their oil there, and on to Asia and Europe. Shutting down Red Sea shipping would further devastate energy markets.An American presence across from Yemen, at Somaliland’s Berbera port, would deter the Houthis. An American base nearby, in Djibouti, is constantly threatened by that country’s patron at Beijing. Somaliland is safer. The commander of the U.S. Africa Command, General Dagvin Anderson, visited Berebera recently and met with President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi. The tour underlined America’s interest. Israel is already establishing a military presence at the Berbera port. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar visited Somaliland’s capital, Hargeisa, in January, and Somalia was outraged. Washington’s usual suspects back Mogadishu. Its claim to Somaliland is almost universally recognized. President Biden’s “one Somalia” policy scoffed at decades of Somali massacres in Somaliland, a Muslim land that declared independence in 1991 and is now a democracy. “Somaliland is a thriving country that wants nothing to do with the failed state of Somalia,” a former Israeli ambassador to neighboring South Sudan, Haim Koren, tells our Benny Avni. Its location and access to rare earth minerals has also turned it into a pawn in a regional and global geopolitical game. “The Chinese Communist Party is using economic and diplomatic coercion to punish Somaliland” for ties with Taiwan, Mr. Cruz wrote recently.Taipei and Jerusalem are the only capitals to recognize Somaliland’s independence. Trump administration insiders are debating whether to join them. Others will likely follow Washington’s cue if it establishes formal relations with Hargeisa. Access to the rare earths used in our modern arms and tech devices and a foothold in a critical part of the world are reasons enough. A Middle East war is as good a moment as any to make Somaliland a long-term ally.

The Opportunity in Somaliland

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