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Pennsylvania congressman’s legislation comes weeks after outgoing AFRICOM commander acknowledged al-Shabaab remains “entrenched, wealthy, and large” despite decades of U.S. support to Somalia
Congressman Scott Perry introduced the Republic of Somaliland Independence Act on Wednesday, legislation that would formally recognize Somaliland as a separate, independent nation and establish diplomatic relations with Hargeisa.
Perry’s office said the legislation aims to “redirect U.S. foreign policy to align with a new, stable and self-governing partner in a region of increasing strategic importance to the United States.”
“Foreign adversaries are on the march in Africa and around the globe, and it’s in our national interest to strengthen relationships with reliable partners who share our values and contribute to our security – whenever and wherever possible,” said Perry, a retired Army National Guard brigadier general who flew 44 combat missions commanding the 2-104th Aviation Battalion during Operation Iraqi Freedom (2009-2010).
The bill is co-sponsored by Representatives Andy Ogles (TN-05), Pat Harrigan (NC-10), and Tom Tiffany (WI-07), all of whom have previously criticized U.S. policy toward Somalia while advocating for stronger ties with Taiwan.
Somalia Policy Unraveling as AFRICOM Admits Failure
The timing of Perry’s bill coincides with a broader U.S. reevaluation of Somalia as a viable state partner. In June 2025, President Trump’s travel ban proclamation declared that Somalia “lacks a competent or cooperative central authority for issuing passports or civil documents” and noted that “Somalia also remains a destination for individuals attempting to join terrorist groups.” The proclamation’s finding that “the Government of Somalia struggles to provide governance needed to limit terrorists’ freedom of movement” represents a fundamental challenge to Somalia’s claims of sovereignty.
This assessment aligns with outgoing AFRICOM Commander General Michael Langley’s admission that al-Shabaab remains “entrenched, wealthy, and large” despite decades of U.S. military assistance to Somalia.
Langley’s assessment represents a reversal from his previous optimism about Somalia’s security situation. In June 2024, he expressed “measured optimism” about Somali government capabilities, but recent al-Shabaab territorial gains have forced a reassessment.
The militant group overran the strategic town of Adan Yabal in May, forcing U.S.-trained Somali National Army troops to abandon their largest operational base and millions of dollars in American-supplied weapons.
Al-Shabaab territorial gains have correlated directly with recent funding reductions, with insurgents retaking “dozens of villages” and regaining operational capability in nearly one-third of territory they lost to federal forces in 2022.
Massive Aid Cuts Follow Somalia Failures
The Trump administration has implemented sweeping cuts to Somalia funding, with U.S. aid dropping from $850 million in 2024 to $180 million in 2025, according to ForeignAssistance.gov data.
The cuts ended monthly $400 salary supplements for elite Danab forces and eliminated food and fuel support following U.S. audits that found Somali forces had “padded food and fuel requisitions.”
The press release notes that Somalia’s “meritless claims over Somaliland hinder the United States’ ability to forge deeper diplomatic ties with Somaliland, a responsible partner nation that maintains internal order, conducts democratic elections, and actively counters piracy and extremism.”
Berbera Port Offers Strategic Alternative
Against this backdrop of Somalia’s deteriorating security situation, Somaliland has offered the United States what Somalia cannot: reliable partnership and strategic access.
“They’ve governed themselves peacefully for decades, built strong ties with Taiwan, and refused to bow to the Chinese Communist Party,” said Congressman Pat Harrigan. “They’ve even offered the U.S. military access to a key port in the Gulf of Aden. That’s what a real partner looks like, and it’s time we treated them like one.”
The offer of U.S. military access to Berbera Port represents a potentially significant strategic shift. The deep-water port facility, modernized through a $442 million UAE investment, provides direct access to the Red Sea shipping corridor where Houthi attacks have disrupted global trade routes.
For the United States, Berbera would offer an alternative to the increasingly constrained Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti, which sits just 8 miles from China’s first overseas military base. Military analysts note that Berbera’s location places it 150 miles from the Chinese facility while providing operational reach across the Gulf of Aden.
For Somaliland, hosting U.S. military presence would provide security guarantees and international legitimacy that recognition alone cannot deliver. The arrangement would also bring economic benefits through base operations and potentially deter regional adversaries from challenging Somaliland’s sovereignty.
Three Decades of Democratic Governance
The legislation cites Somaliland’s record of conducting six presidential elections since 1991, including the November 2024 election that saw opposition candidate Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi defeat incumbent Muse Bihi Abdi.
“For more than three decades, Somaliland demonstrated the kind of governance, stability, and cooperation that America should support,” Perry said in announcing the bill.
This democratic record stands in stark contrast to Somalia, described in the press release as “the unstable, conflict-ridden and fractured capitol city of Somalia.” While Somaliland conducts peaceful elections and transfers of power, Somalia struggles with clan-based politics and militant control over much of its territory.
Taiwan Relationship Draws Chinese Pressure
The bill highlights Somaliland’s 2020 establishment of diplomatic relations with Taiwan, making it one of only 12 countries worldwide to maintain official ties with Taipei.
In April 2025, Somalia banned Taiwanese passport holders from entry, citing the “one-China principle” in what was widely seen as a move to derail a scheduled high-level Taiwanese diplomatic mission to Somaliland. The ban prompted immediate congressional backlash.
Senator Jim Risch called Somalia’s action “bowing to China while militants roam freely in its core regions.” Representatives Tom Tiffany and Andy Ogles sent a joint letter to Somalia’s ambassador warning of “serious retaliatory consequences” under the TAIPEI Act, which legally obligates the U.S. to reassess relationships with governments that undermine Taiwan.
The congressional pressure worked. Somalia reversed the passport ban in June 2025, but the episode demonstrated both Beijing’s influence over Mogadishu and Congress’s willingness to defend Taiwan-Somaliland relations.
“As China expands its influence across the globe, strengthening our alliances with free nations like Somaliland is more important than ever,” Ogles said in supporting the recognition bill.
Ogles had previously co-authored the letter pressuring Somalia to reverse its Taiwan passport ban, demonstrating sustained congressional support for the Taiwan-Somaliland partnership.
Congressional Support Building
The legislation has attracted support from conservative policy groups, with the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 recommending Somaliland recognition as a hedge against “malign Chinese activity” in Africa.
“It is a simple fact that Somaliland is a sovereign and self-governing nation separate from Somalia, and U.S. policy should reflect that,” said Congressman Tom Tiffany.
The press release concludes that the bill “ensures American leadership remains strong in East Africa, and sends a clear signal that the U.S. will stand with responsible partners who uphold stability and sovereignty.”
Somaliland Government Response
Somaliland officials quickly welcomed the legislation. Foreign Minister Abdirahman Dahir Adam thanked Perry on social media, calling the bill introduction “a critical step forward” and praising the congressman’s “bold leadership” and “courage in advancing this cause.”
The Somaliland Representative Office in the United States also expressed gratitude to Perry “for introducing the Republic of Somaliland Independence Act today in the U.S. House of Representatives, & calling deeper USA-SL partnership,” while thanking co-sponsors Ogles, Harrigan, and Tiffany.
Next Steps
The legislation has been referred to the House Foreign Affairs Committee for consideration. Committee leadership has not indicated whether hearings will be scheduled on the bill.
The bill represents the most significant congressional action on Somaliland recognition since the territory’s independence declaration 34 years ago.