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President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi “Cirro” welcomed growing U.S. congressional support for establishing a diplomatic office in Somaliland, describing it as a milestone in relations between the two nations. In an address to Somaliland’s House of Elders, Cirro specifically praised American legislators’ efforts to strengthen ties with the democratic enclave in the strategic Horn of Africa.
“We commend the American legislators and the Foreign Affairs Committee of the U.S. Congress for calling on the United States to open a diplomatic office in Somaliland,” Cirro declared. “Every avenue will be pursued to further solidify this relationship.”
The president’s remarks come amid significant developments in Washington that could reshape U.S. policy toward the Horn of Africa. The State Department’s Africa Bureau appears poised for a transformation with the departure of Assistant Secretary Molly Phee. Sources familiar with the matter indicate that Dr. J. Peter Pham, a former U.S. Special Envoy for the Sahel Region and Great Lakes Region of Africa, could be her successor. Dr. Pham, who served as the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center Director and Vice President for Research and Regional Initiatives, has been a vocal advocate for reconsidering U.S. policy toward Somalia and strengthening ties with Somaliland.
Adding to the potential shifts, Ambassador Tibor Nagy, a former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs and career diplomat with over 30 years of experience in African affairs, may return to the State Department. Nagy, who previously served as U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia and Guinea, has consistently emphasized the strategic importance of the Horn of Africa and demonstrated a deep understanding of Somaliland’s unique position in the region.
These diplomatic developments parallel growing congressional support. Representative John Moolenaar, Chair of the House Select Committee on the CCP, recently urged outgoing U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to establish a diplomatic presence in Hargeisa. The initiative reflects growing recognition of Somaliland’s strategic importance in countering China’s expanding influence in the region.
The bipartisan push gained additional momentum with the introduction of H.R. 10402 by Representatives Scott Perry and Andy Ogles. The legislation advocates for enhanced U.S. engagement with Somaliland, citing its three decades of stability and democratic governance in a historically volatile region.
These initiatives build on earlier efforts, including a significant amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) introduced by Senator Jim Risch, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The amendment emphasized Somaliland’s crucial role in promoting regional stability and countering security threats.
Other nations have already established diplomatic footholds in Somaliland. The United Kingdom, Kenya, and Taiwan maintain offices in Hargeisa, providing a precedent for increased international engagement without compromising existing relationships with Somalia.
“Somaliland remains the beacon of peace and democracy in the Horn of Africa,” Cirro emphasized, outlining his vision for expanded international partnerships. His administration’s pursuit of closer U.S. ties comes at a critical moment for regional diplomacy, as various global powers seek to strengthen their presence in the strategically vital Horn of Africa.
However, challenges remain. Somalia’s Federal Government has launched a counter-campaign through a $50,000-per-month Washington lobbying effort, attempting to portray U.S. engagement with Somaliland as neocolonial interference. Critics have also raised concerns about President Cirro’s previous statements regarding potential talks with Somalia, warning that such negotiations could undermine Somaliland’s pursuit of international recognition.
The potential appointments of both Pham and Nagy, combined with broader policy shifts expected under a possible Trump administration, could mark a significant realignment of U.S. policy toward the Horn of Africa. Their extensive diplomatic experience and regional expertise suggest a more nuanced approach to Somaliland’s international status may be forthcoming.
As President Cirro’s administration navigates these diplomatic opportunities, the confluence of congressional support and potential State Department changes suggests an evolving relationship between the two nations. Success will require careful balancing of regional sensitivities with strategic imperatives, but the foundation for stronger U.S.-Somaliland relations appears increasingly solid.