Somaliland Rejects Somali Offer for US-Controlled Port

Somaliland, a self-declared independent region since 1991, has rejected Somalia's offer to grant the US exclusive control over its Berbera port and airbase, emphasizing its sovereign rights amid increasing tensions in the Horn of Africa.

In a significant diplomatic clash, Somaliland has flatly dismissed the Somali government's recent proposal to relinquish exclusive control of the Berbera port and airbase to the United States. The port, located along the critical Gulf of Aden, has sparked sensitivities given Somaliland's declared independence from Somalia over three decades ago amidst a civil war.

Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud highlighted the strategic benefits of the offer in a letter addressed to US President Donald Trump. He asserted that control over the facilities would enhance US counterterrorism operations in the region. The letter, which was revealed by Reuters and dated March 16, seeks to bolster American influence in an area that is becoming a focal point for competing global powers.

However, Somaliland's Foreign Affairs Minister Abdirahman Dahir Aden dismissed the offer as a “desperate” attempt by Mogadishu to assert authority over assets that Somaliland claims as rightfully theirs. "There is nothing they can do to stop the upcoming recognition of Somaliland," Minister Aden expressed via social media, alluding to hopes for international recognition following signs of support from the US.

The developments come as the US maintains a strategic interest in Somalia, focusing on combating Islamist militants such as Al-Shabab, who pose significant threats to regional stability. Amidst fears that President Trump might withdraw US support, Somalia has engaged a Washington lobbying firm to enhance relations and sustain military backing.

The offer discusses additional airbases, including one at Bosaso in Puntland, which may exacerbate existing tensions given Puntland's authority over that region. Local officials have expressed caution, suggesting that decisions made without their involvement could impact relations with Mogadishu.

Historical disputes over Somaliland's ports have illustrated the fragile dynamics of territorial governance in the region. Last year, tensions surged when Ethiopia signed a deal with Somaliland to develop a port, prompting allegations of aggression from Somalia.

As the geopolitical landscape in the Horn of Africa continues to evolve, the fate of Somaliland remains uncertain amid growing international interest and internal Somali divisions.