Notice the date of the news report below? Dec 22/2024. That’s more than a year ago. Somaliland Ready to Offer US Military in Strategic Coast of Berbera
HARGEISA, Somaliland (HORN OBSERVER) – The Somaliland officials have announced their willingness to allow the United States to establish a military base in the strategic coastal city of Berbera, as part of an effort to strengthen ties with Washington.
Bashir Good, Somaliland’s representative to the U.S., confirmed that the administration is open to hosting a U.S. military presence in Berbera, seeing it as a move that would benefit both Somaliland and the United States.
“Somaliland is prepared to provide a military base to the United States if it aligns with the mutual interests of both parties,” said Bashir Good.
Berbera, located on the Gulf of Aden, holds a key position on international maritime routes. Its proximity to the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, a vital shipping route connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, makes it a highly strategic location for military and commercial interests.The city has long been central to Somaliland’s economic and security considerations.
In May 2022, a U.S. AFRICOM military plane was seen at Berbera Airport during a visit by AFRICOM officials, highlighting the growing military interest in the region.Somaliland’s efforts to solidify its international standing include a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Ethiopia, granting the landlocked nation access to the Red Sea via Berbera.
This agreement is seen as a potential pathway for Somaliland to gain international recognition in exchange for facilitating Ethiopia’s maritime access.
In addition, Somaliland has an existing agreement with the UAE’s Dubai Ports World to manage and develop the Berbera Port, a deal that has included provisions for a military base.
The UAE has already established a military presence in the region, further cementing Berbera’s strategic significance.
Bashir Good also reiterated Somaliland’s broader ambitions, emphasizing the region’s commitment to building diplomatic and cooperative relations with the U.S. and other nations as an independent state.
Despite these efforts, Somaliland continues to pursue international recognition as a sovereign state independent from Somalia. However, no country has officially recognized Somaliland’s independence to date.
Until Israel did, just the other day. Not a coincidence!
Orion Forum, Africa, Defense & Security
In the face of evolving threats throughout the region, Somaliland, a self-declared state in northern Somalia, presents a critical opportunity. A stable, self-governing, democratic state with access to the strategic port of Berbera, Somaliland offers the United States an alternative location, outside of Djibouti, to strengthen its military posture in the region. However, Somaliland is not internationally recognized.[i] Despite this, the U.S. is reportedly in talks with Somaliland leaders, considering making a deal: providing long-sought international recognition in exchange for U.S. access to both the port and airstrip in Somaliland. These talks support the premise that continued reliance on Djibouti alone, the only U.S. military base in Africa, is no longer sufficient in protecting U.S. interests. Establishing a base in Somaliland would expand the U.S. military footprint across the region, enable rapid response to the growing Houthi threat impacting major global trade routes, combat China’s expanding influence along one of the world’s most vital maritime corridors and throughout East Africa, and enhance counterterrorism operations against organizations like Al-Shabaab.
The question is not whether the United States should expand its presence — but how the U.S. can accomplish this task without disrupting security in the region.
Gee how can the US accomplish this sleight of hand? By having Israel “recognize” Somaliland and the US will follow suit.
It’s a given the US is standing firmly behind the Israeli move to recognize Somaliland.
Donald Trump claims to be “studying” this move- Utter bullocks!
He won’t quickly follow Israel’s move- Cause the US is already in the lead covertly.
President Trump told The Post that he won’t quickly follow Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in recognizing the independence of Somaliland — saying he has to “study” his longtime Mideast ally’s pitch on behalf of the breakaway republic.
He doesn’t have to study anything! What a dog and pony show!