Somaliland Offers US Exclusive Access to Resources, Bases
The Spin
Narrative A
Somaliland’s bid for recognition through resource and base deals risks turning sovereignty into a bargaining chip. Tying legitimacy to exclusive mineral access or military footholds — especially under a Trump-style transactional framework — reduces self-determination to geopolitical dealmaking. Critics argue this approach deepens regional tensions and treats Somaliland less as a democratic project than as a strategic pawn, while the broader international community continues to back Somalia’s territorial integrity.
Narrative B
Recognizing Somaliland would align with President Trump’s America-First doctrine of rewarding stability and advancing U.S. strategic interests. For 35 years, Somaliland has maintained elections, internal security, and control over coastlines near the vital Bab el-Mandeb shipping corridor. It has cooperated on counterterrorism and avoided the instability seen elsewhere in Somalia. Recognition would strengthen U.S. positioning in a critical maritime region while expanding leverage amid growing competition with China.
