Somaliland’s Strategic Moment: Why the US Can No Longer Afford to Wait |
For decades, the Republic of Somaliland has existed in a paradox: a functioning, stable, and democratic polity in one of the world’s most volatile regions Today, shifting geopolitical realities in the Horn of Africa, coupled with intensifying global competition, are forcing a reassessment in Washington. The question is no longer whether Somaliland matters, but whether the United States can afford to continue treating it as peripheral.
The strategic importance of Berbera is not a recent discovery. During the Cold War, global powers understood its geographic advantage along the Gulf of Aden, one of the world’s most critical maritime corridors. Initially developed by the Soviet Union, the port and its airstrip later came under the influence of the United States following the Ogaden War.
Today, Berbera’s relevance has only grown. Positioned near vital shipping lanes and within reach of the Middle East, it offers the United States a rare opportunity: a reliable logistical and security foothold in a region where such partnerships are increasingly scarce. Unlike many other regional actors, Somaliland has demonstrated consistent internal stability, peaceful transfers of power, and a commitment to democratic governance.
In contrast to the fragility that continues to challenge Somalia, Somaliland has built a hybrid democratic system that blends traditional clan-based structures with modern state institutions. Elections, while not perfect, have been competitive and broadly credible. Power has changed hands peacefully, an achievement that remains rare in the region.
This democratic trajectory has not gone unnoticed. Senior U.S. officials, including Jendayi Frazer, engaged........