What You Need to Know
Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi attended the World Economic Forum to gain international recognition and promote investment opportunities, particularly in the strategic Berbera port. He engaged in discussions with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Eric Trump, emphasizing Somaliland’s stability and readiness for business.
Africa-Press. Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi attended the World Economic Forum this week in an effort to gain international recognition and showcase investment opportunities in his breakaway region.
During a closed dinner on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum, President Abdullahi presented investment opportunities in Somaliland, particularly the strategic deep-water port of Berbera, located on one of the busiest shipping routes in the world, according to two individuals who attended the meeting.
Among those present was Eric Trump, son of former U.S. President Donald Trump and a senior executive at the Trump Organization, which has interests ranging from real estate to cryptocurrency, and Israeli President Isaac Herzog, whose country recognized Somaliland last month—a first among United Nations member states.
During the dinner, Abdullahi stood and delivered a brief speech while holding a microphone, according to accounts from two attendees and a video of the speech reviewed by a local source. Abdullahi told the participants seated at the dining tables: “For 24 years, Somaliland has been stable, democratic, peaceful, and ready for business. We expect everyone around this table to support the recognition of Somaliland.”
The President of Somaliland and Eric Trump engaged in brief conversations during their handshake at the beginning and end of the event, according to two individuals who were present. On Thursday, the President of Somaliland confirmed that he spoke with Trump and Herzog, stating to a local source: “The meeting went well, indeed perfectly.”
Abdirahman Bayle, an advisor to the President of Somaliland, told the BBC that Eric Trump “expressed interest in Somaliland and the opportunities it offers.” Bayle added: “Among the issues we discussed was attracting global investors in the livestock and agriculture sectors, aiming to develop these sectors and export their products to the rest of the world.” Livestock is the primary export of the region, with products mainly exported to Saudi Arabia.
A spokesperson for Eric Trump confirmed that Abdullahi attended the dinner and took a photo with the President’s son, but denied any meeting took place between them, noting that there were over a hundred people in the hall. Kimberly Benza stated: “Eric Trump did not have any meeting with the President of Somaliland, nor did he discuss the port at all.”
Benza added that Eric Trump did not comment on the speech of the President of Somaliland or acknowledge it. When asked about the side conversations, she said: “We exchanged pleasantries only, nothing more.”
In a post on X that did not mention Eric Trump, Herzog expressed his pleasure in meeting his counterpart from Somaliland at the Swiss resort.
Somaliland has enjoyed effective self-governance—along with relative peace and stability—since 1991, when Somalia descended into civil war, but the breakaway region continues to struggle for international recognition.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991, following the collapse of the Somali central government and the ensuing civil war. Since then, it has maintained a relatively stable and democratic governance structure, distinguishing itself from the ongoing turmoil in Somalia. Despite its self-declared independence, Somaliland has not received formal recognition from the international community, which complicates its efforts to attract foreign investment and support.
