In an interview with AFP, Khadar Hussein Abdi, Somaliland’s minister of the presidency, said the territory was prepared to grant Washington preferential terms in exchange for closer ties.
“We are willing to give exclusive (access to our minerals) to the United States,” Abdi said. “Also, we are open to offer military bases to the United States. We believe that we will agree on something with the United States.”
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but has not secured recognition from the African Union or the United Nations. The federal government in Mogadishu continues to regard it as part of Somalia’s sovereign territory.
Despite the lack of formal recognition, Somaliland has operated as a self-governing administration for more than three decades, maintaining its own passport, currency and security forces.
Its latest proposal highlights how access to strategic resources is increasingly being used as leverage in diplomatic negotiations across Africa.
Shifting alliances in the Horn of Africa
Somaliland’s outreach to Washington comes as alliances in the Horn of Africa undergo recalibration, driven by Red Sea security concerns, intensifying competition for critical minerals and broader Middle East rivalries.
In December, Israel became the first United Nations member state to formally recognise Somaliland, marking a diplomatic breakthrough for Hargeisa.
The recognition came amid heightened tensions in the Red Sea corridor, where Yemen’s Houthi movement has targeted Israeli-linked shipping routes, increasing the strategic sensitivity of the region.
Abdi said he could not rule out the possibility of allowing Israel to establish a military presence in the territory.
President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi has also indicated that a future trade agreement with Jerusalem could include access to mineral resources.
“Somaliland is a very rich country in resources, minerals, oil, gas, marine, in agriculture, energy and other sectors,” Abdullahi said previously.
“We have meat, we have fish, we have minerals and they need them. So trade can start from these main sectors… The sky is the limit.”
Critical minerals and geopolitical competition
The United Arab Emirates has also emerged as a significant partner. Emirati firms have invested in infrastructure and port development in Berbera, a strategic coastal city along the Gulf of Aden.
The port is widely viewed as a potential logistics hub linking East Africa to Gulf markets.
Meanwhile, Somaliland’s geographic position continues to enhance its strategic relevance. Located opposite Yemen, it lies along one of the world’s busiest maritime corridors.
Heightened tensions in the Red Sea, including attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement on Israeli-linked targets, have further underscored the region’s security significance.
Taken together, Somaliland’s expanding ties with Israel and the UAE, alongside its overtures to the United States, point to a calculated effort to align itself with influential partners as it pursues political recognition and economic support.
Officials say the territory holds deposits of lithium and coltan, minerals widely used in batteries, electric vehicles and advanced electronics.
However, comprehensive independent assessments confirming the scale and commercial viability of these resources have yet to be completed, raising questions about their full economic potential.
Nonetheless, Somaliland’s leadership appears confident that shifting geopolitical dynamics could ultimately work in its favour. Abdi said he believes the United States could “someday” recognise Somaliland.
