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Somaliland has announced its readiness to offer its mineral resources and military bases to the United States, aiming to enhance its international recognition. This development follows Israel’s recent acknowledgment of Somaliland’s independence, which has sparked tensions with Somalia. Somaliland’s leaders hope this recognition will encourage other nations, particularly the U.S., to follow suit.
Africa-Press. Somaliland has announced its readiness to provide its mineral resources and military bases to the United States, in a move that reflects its ongoing efforts to enhance international recognition of its independence.
A government minister stated in a media interview that the administration is prepared to grant Washington special privileges in accessing mineral resources, as well as the possibility of establishing military bases on its territory.
This development comes less than two months after Israel recognized the region’s independence, which it declared after separating from Somalia in 1991. This recognition has angered Mogadishu, which still claims sovereignty over Somaliland. At the same time, regional leaders hope this historic acknowledgment will encourage other countries—especially the United States—to take similar steps.
Minister of the Presidency Khadr Hussein Abdi stated that his government is “ready to grant the United States exclusive mining rights,” also indicating their openness to “providing military bases” for Washington.
According to the Ministry of Energy and Minerals in Somaliland, the region’s soil is rich in strategic minerals, including lithium, tantalum, niobium, and coltan, although available studies have not yet determined confirmed quantities.
Earlier, the region’s president, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, known as “Iro,” expressed interest in granting Israel mining privileges, while Minister Abdi confirmed that an agreement with the United States is imminent.
This move comes amid the region’s sensitive geographic location, as Somaliland is near the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, one of the world’s most important commercial maritime passages, where the U.S. military base in Djibouti is also located.
Regarding the possibility of granting Israel a military base, the Minister of the Presidency did not rule it out, indicating that all options are on the table within the framework of a “strategic partnership between the two countries,” which is expected to be signed soon in Israel.
Analysts believe this rapprochement is linked to the region’s strategic position amid security developments in Yemen, where Yemeni forces have launched attacks against Israel in solidarity with the Palestinians and to lift the blockade on Gaza, which has faced ongoing devastation for over two years.
Hargeisa rejects previous accusations regarding granting Israel a military base, labeling them as “baseless claims.” However, any agreement on this matter could have security implications for the region, which has maintained relative stability, especially as Israeli recognition has led to threats from Yemeni forces and Al-Shabaab, which has been waging an armed insurgency against the Somali state for nearly two decades.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991, seeking to establish itself as a sovereign state. Despite its self-declared status, it has not received widespread international recognition, leading to ongoing tensions with the Somali government. The region’s strategic location near the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait has made it a focal point for international interests, particularly concerning military and economic partnerships.
