er,Hargeisa (Somalia Today) — Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro met the senior US diplomat for Somalia in Hargeisa on Wednesday, days after Washington reaffirmed Somalia’s sovereignty while also outlining possible areas of deeper cooperation with the breakaway region.
Somaliland’s presidency said Irro received Justin Davis, the chargé d’affaires at the US Embassy in Mogadishu, at the presidential palace for talks focused on security, Red Sea maritime routes, intelligence sharing, investment and trade.
The meeting comes at a sensitive moment in US policy towards Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but has not received broad international recognition.
A recent State Department report to Congress said the United States recognises “the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia, which includes the region of Somaliland”.
But the same report also said Washington maintains a “positive, constructive relationship” with Somaliland and continues to explore “additional opportunities for engagement” with authorities in Hargeisa.
That distinction now sits at the heart of the latest diplomatic activity: the United States wants practical cooperation with Somaliland on security and economic issues, but has not recognised it as an independent state.
Red Sea security
Somaliland’s presidency said Irro thanked Davis for the visit and for what it called Washington’s “growing interest” in Somaliland.
It said the talks covered regional security, Red Sea maritime security, intelligence exchange, investment opportunities, economic development, democracy and shared strategic interests.
The presidency said Irro also thanked the United States for legislative initiatives and political activity inside the US Congress that “directly concern Somaliland”.
“The president assured the US deputy ambassador that Somaliland is peaceful, democratic and stable, and is a partner the United States can rely on,” the statement said.
Davis, according to the Somaliland presidency, praised Somaliland’s peace, stability, and democratic system, and said Washington stood ready to strengthen cooperation in security, defence, maritime security, intelligence, investment, trade, infrastructure, minerals, and energy.
The statement said Davis stressed that Somaliland’s “reality, progress and strategic role” in the Horn of Africa could not be ignored.
The US Embassy did not immediately issue a separate statement on the meeting.
Davis assumed duties as chargé d’affaires at the US Embassy in Mogadishu in January, making him Washington’s senior diplomatic representative for Somalia.
Berbera and recognition drive
Somaliland’s location across the Gulf of Aden from Yemen has drawn growing attention as attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and wider regional competition place new focus on the Bab al-Mandab corridor.
The State Department report said Somaliland’s position near Yemen and the Bab al-Mandab Strait makes it a potential partner on shared security interests, including the freedom of commercial and military navigation from the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean.
It also said that US Africa Command holds regular engagements with Somaliland authorities and continues to explore potential areas of cooperation.
Berbera port has become a central part of Somaliland’s diplomatic pitch. The port, expanded with investment from Dubai-based DP World, sits on a strategic trade route and offers potential access to landlocked Ethiopia.
Somaliland has sought to leverage its geography, relative stability, and democratic record to build stronger foreign ties and advance its long-running campaign for recognition.
In February, Somaliland’s minister of the presidency, Khadar Hussein Abdi, told AFP that Hargeisa was willing to offer Washington privileged access to minerals and military facilities as part of that effort.
“We are willing to give exclusive access to our minerals to the United States,” he said.
“Also, we are open to offer military bases to the United States,” he added.
Somaliland officials have said the territory holds deposits of lithium, coltan and other strategic minerals, although independent studies remain limited.
However, the State Department report also identified Somaliland’s unresolved status as a barrier to deeper trade and investment, citing regional security concerns, banking limitations and the dispute with Mogadishu.
