SOMALIA’s breakaway region of Somaliland has rejected an attempt by the central government to give the US exclusive control of a port and airbase in Berbera.
The city lies on the strategic Gulf of Aden, on the northern coast of Somaliland. The territory, which declared independence in 1991 as Somalia descended into civil war, says the facilities are not Mogadishu’s to give away.
In a letter to US President Donald Trump, seen by Reuters news agency, Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud also offered port and airbase within Somalia, saying all four would strengthen US security operations.
Somaliland’s Foreign Affairs Minister Abdirahman Dahir Aden dismissed the move as “desperate”.
Signals given before Trump began his second term have given Somalilanders hope that the US may become the world’s first country to recognise the self-declared republic, which has functioned as a de facto state for nearly 34 years.
“There is nothing they can do to stop the upcoming recognition of Somaliland,” Mr Adan posted on X in response to the letter.
Somaliland’s recently expanded port in Berbera is run by DP World from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) – a key US ally.
“The USA is not stupid. They know who they need to deal with when it comes to Berbera port,” the minister told Reuters.
The US has long played a pivotal role in helping Somalia fight Islamist militants linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group by providing intelligence and air strikes.
Al-Shabab, which controls swathes of territory in southern and central Somalia, is regarded as al-Qaeda’s most successful affiliate.
Observers say Mogadishu fears that Trump will reduce US support, as he did during his first term.
In December, the Somali government signed a $600,000 (£492,000) a year deal with a top Washington lobbying firm for advice on US-Somalia relations.
The letter to Trump, which Reuters says is dated 16 March, explains how exclusive control of the offered airbases and ports could help the US counter the influence of other international players in the Horn of Africa – a likely reference to China and Russia.