Somalia has offered the United States exclusive access to key air bases and ports, including Balidogle and Berbera air bases, as well as the ports of Berbera and Bosaso. According to a letter from President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to former U.S. President Donald Trump, the move aims to strengthen America’s military presence in the Horn of Africa, particularly in countering Islamist militant threats. The letter emphasizes that these strategic assets would ensure the U.S. maintains uninterrupted military and logistical access while preventing rival powers from gaining a foothold in the region.
However, the offer has sparked tensions with Somaliland, where Berbera is located. Somaliland’s Foreign Minister, Abdirahman Dahir Aden, dismissed the proposal, arguing that the U.S. is more likely to collaborate directly with Somaliland rather than Somalia. He asserted that Somaliland has demonstrated stability and democracy, making it a preferable partner for the U.S. Somalia has long opposed recognizing Somaliland’s independence, despite its decades-long push for international recognition.