Celebrations Break Out in Somaliland with Trump’s Image Emblazoned on Buildings as President Acknowledged It ‘as a Distinct Country’ | Elizabeth Weibel, Breitbart
The Republic of Somaliland praised President Donald Trump for his remarks acknowledging the nation-state located inside Somalia as “a distinct country” that has nothing to do with Somalia.
In a press release, Somaliland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation explained that Somaliland “has its own internationally defined border,” and the nation-state “has its own constitution, democratically elected government and foreign relations.” The press release comes after Trump acknowledged that Somaliland was “a totally different country” from Somalia, while speaking at a rally in Youngstown, Ohio.
“The Government of the Republic of Somaliland warmly welcomes US President Donald J. Trump’s acknowledgement of the Republic of Somaliland as a distinct country,” the press release said. “His remarks affirm a longstanding reality: the Republic of Somaliland has its own internationally defined border, inherited at independence and consistent with the African Union’s principle of respect for borders existing at independence.”
“It has its own constitution, democratically elected government and foreign relations, and has governed itself for more than three decades,” the press release continued.
The press continued to state that the government of Somaliland is “committed to peaceful relations with its neighbours and to resolving differences through respectful dialogue.”
“It expresses its gratitude to President Trump for acknowledging the reality of the Republic of Somaliland as a sovereign, independent country,” the press release said. “This affirmation comes alongside the Republic of Somaliland’s formal recognition by Israel and its established partnership with Taiwan. The Government looks forward to working with President Trump’s Administration to deepen constructive engagement between the two sides.”
Trump’s remarks about Somaliland come after Somaliland President Abdiraham Mohamed Abdullahi spoke to Breitbart News exclusively and described Trump as a “great man” who could “make more history” if he recognized Somaliland as its own country.
“Well, I think President Trump is a great man,” Abdullahi said to Breitbart News. “He made history, and he could make more history by recognizing a new country called Somaliland, which will cooperate unconditionally in the fight against terrorism, in the fight against piracy, in the fight for marine security, and safer world trade routes as well, in a strategic, very important location.”
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) responded to Trump’s remarks on Somaliland, stating that it is “well past time” that the United States recognizes it.
“President Trump is exactly right,” Cruz wrote in a post on X. ��Somaliland is not Somalia. Well past time for the United States to formally recognize it.”
Video footage posted to X showed the U.S. flag “shining” on a building in Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland.
https://t.co/27ntLSUoxU
#BREAKING
Hundreds of Somalilanders convene spontaneous rally in Hargeisa's Freedom Garden Square today waving US and Somaliland flags to thank President Trump for acknowledging Somaliland's sovereignty.
What happens in Yemen doesn’t stay in Yemen. Disruptions around Bab el-Mandeb can raise shipping costs, delay goods, make fuel, and food more expensive worldwide. For Somaliland, this brings real challenges for families and businesses, but also potential opportunities for Berbera
Somaliland has worked hard for more than three decades to build peace and stability. Recognition would mean a lot to its people and could open the door to a stronger partnership with the U.S., built on mutual respect, shared interests, and regional security.
Israel got it right: Somaliland is the strategic ally Trump needs now | OP-ED by Peter Harris, an associate professor of political science at Colorado State University, a nonresident fellow with Defense Priorities https://t.co/BVsUUSTdGu
s a Somalilander, it’s encouraging to see Somaliland’s strategic location receiving more attention. Being across the Gulf of Aden from Yemen and close to Bab el-Mandeb gives us an important place in conversations about regional security and trade.
“Somaliland is strategically located across the Gulf of Aden from Yemen. And the Houthis from Yemen now control a [nearby] maritime chokepoint, the Mandeb Strait, through which a not-insignificant amount of global trade passes every single day,” says CFR Middle East and North Africa expert @stevenacook.
Cook explains the history of the self-declared nation, and notes that President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi recently traveled to Washington and New York to make the case for U.S. recognition.
“Somaliland is strategically located across the Gulf of Aden from Yemen. And the Houthis from Yemen now control a [nearby] maritime chokepoint, the Mandeb Strait, through which a not-insignificant amount of global trade passes every single day,” says CFR Middle East and North Africa expert @stevenacook.
Cook explains the history of the self-declared nation, and notes that President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi recently traveled to Washington and New York to make the case for U.S. recognition.
Somaliland’s recognition by Israel could reshape Red Sea politics, Somalia’s internal dynamics, and U.S. strategy. The move could give Somaliland more diplomatic leverage while deepening tensions with Somalia, Iran, and other regional powers.
The unrecognized Republic of Somaliland now sits right next to one of the world’s most high-profile conflict zones, with massive repercussions for the global economy. https://t.co/oighHp3qwQ
President Abdulrahman Irro’s Washington visit has put Somaliland’s U.S. engagement in the spotlight. The Africa Report explores five key questions around the visit and its diplomatic significance. https://t.co/j6511ceTol
@addisstandard Really insightful piece by @guiled2_gulaid. I especially liked his point about “network centrality”—Berbera’s growing connections are changing how Somaliland fits into the wider Red Sea and Horn of Africa picture.
Really interesting take. Somaliland’s location is putting it right at the heart of the Red Sea’s growing geopolitical competition. The big question is how that strategic importance can translate into real opportunities for its people and long-term stability.
@guiled2_gulaid
A powerful El Niño weather event is expected to supercharge annual flooding during rainy season in East Africa beginning in October and force up to three million people to flee by the end of year in the worst-case scenario, according to modeling by the Danish Refugee Council.
This article examines the potential economic impact of Houthi pressure on the Bab el-Mandeb Strait on Somaliland’s livestock trade.
By Eng Saed Mohamerd
Somalinimo is not a political identity tied to any particular state. It is an ethnic and cultural identity shared by Somali people across the Horn of Africa and throughout the diaspora. It has never been confined within the borders of a single country, nor can it be reduced to, or exclusively represented by, any one political entity.
While the President is abroad, #Somaliland is making headlines over the arrests of a poet and two journalists. Arrested for a poem, an interview, and criticism of that arrest.
Is this the image of Somaliland we want the world to see?