Somaliland Offers U.S. Mineral Access, Military Bases

Somaliland, the self-declared breakaway region of Somalia, has expressed willingness to grant the United States access to its mineral resources and military bases, officials said, as the territory seeks international recognition.

In an interview with AFP, Khadar Hussein Abdi, Somaliland’s Minister of the Presidency, said: “We are willing to give exclusive access to our minerals to the United States. Also, we are open to offer military bases to the United States. We believe that we will agree on something with the United States.”

Somaliland has sought independence since breaking away from Somalia in 1991. Although it runs its own government, currency, army, police, and issues passports, Mogadishu continues to consider it part of Somalia.

In December, Israel became the only country to officially recognize Somaliland’s independence, a move President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi has welcomed. The president has also suggested granting Israel privileged access to Somaliland’s mineral resources, and Khadar Hussein Abdi indicated that a military presence by Israel could be considered.

Strategically located across the Gulf of Aden from Yemen, Somaliland’s security and international partnerships have drawn attention amid regional tensions, including attacks by Houthi rebels on Israeli assets in Yemen.