Somaliland President Visits Washington to Pitch Military Base in Recognition Push

Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi traveled to Washington in March 2026 to lobby for U.S. recognition of his breakaway republic, offering the Trump administration access to the Berbera port and a military base. The administration declined the proposal and reiterated its commitment to the One Somalia policy, which supports a unified Somali state.

The visit marked the highest-profile diplomatic push by Somaliland since the territory declared independence from Somalia in 1991. Hargeisa has sought international recognition for decades, arguing that its stability and democratic governance contrast with the instability in the rest of Somalia.

The Trump administration has not recognized Somaliland as an independent state, despite an Israeli recognition of the territory in December 2025 and multiple bills in the U.S. Congress that have failed to shift the executive branch’s stance. No formal U.S. recognition has occurred as of mid-2026.

The One Somalia policy remains the official U.S. position, backed by the African Union and the United Nations, which treat Somaliland as part of Somalia. The refusal to accept the base offer suggests no immediate policy change is expected.

The next potential catalyst for a shift would be a formal executive order or presidential announcement recognizing Somaliland, but no such action has been signaled. The absence of any White House statement leaves the policy unchanged for now.