Somaliland has firmly rejected Somalia’s proposal to grant the United States exclusive access to the strategic Berbera port and airbase, arguing that Mogadishu has no authority over its territory.
The breakaway region, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991, condemned the move as a “desperate” attempt to undermine its sovereignty. Somaliland’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Abdirahman Dahir Aden, dismissed the deal, emphasizing that Berbera’s facilities are under Somaliland’s jurisdiction.
In a letter to US President Donald Trump, Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud reportedly offered control over four key sites—Berbera port and airbase, along with two other locations within Somalia—to bolster US security operations in the region.
However, Somaliland maintains that the US must engage directly with its government regarding any agreements related to Berbera. Minister Aden expressed confidence that Washington understands the geopolitical reality, stating, “The USA is not stupid. They know who they need to deal with when it comes to Berbera port.”
The Berbera port, which has been expanded and modernized in partnership with DP World, a UAE-based logistics giant, plays a vital role in regional trade and security. The UAE, a key US ally, has been heavily involved in Somaliland’s infrastructure development.
Many in Somaliland see this development as a crucial moment in their longstanding bid for international recognition, particularly with growing signals that Trump’s administration may take a favorable stance towards the self-declared republic, which has functioned as a de facto independent state for nearly 34 years.
The dispute underscores ongoing tensions between Somalia’s federal government and Somaliland, which continues to assert its right to full sovereignty.
