In politics, timing often says
more than any speech ever could. And today, the timing of renewed regional
manoeuvres speaks volumes — and none of it is reassuring for those clinging to
the old order.
Over
the past few months, credible reports suggest that the United States is giving
serious thought to recognising Somaliland.
That
is no small development. It is the result of more than thirty years of
peacebuilding, statecraft, and quiet resilience. Somaliland did not arrive on
the global stage with fanfare — we built ourselves up steadily, against the
odds. And now, finally, the world is starting to pay attention.
The
UAE has deepened its partnership with Somaliland, pouring investment into
Berbera Port and backing new trade corridors to Ethiopia and beyond.
Western
allies are showing renewed strategic interest. This growing momentum, quiet
but undeniable, is making certain actors nervous. Not only in Mogadishu, but
also in Beijing, and most notably, in Djibouti.
Djibouti
has made no secret of its opposition to Somaliland’s recognition. It views a
strong, recognised Somaliland as a direct threat to its economic and strategic
dominance. Their concerns are clear:
•
They fear the United States could expand its military footprint in Berbera,
reducing Djibouti’s strategic value.
•
Even more critically, they fear Ethiopia — landlocked and increasingly seeking
alternatives — could shift significant trade volumes from Djibouti to Berbera.
Both
outcomes are not only possible — they are increasingly likely. And for
Djibouti, they represent an existential challenge.
Recent
moves by Egypt and Djibouti to reaffirm exclusive Red Sea control must be
understood in this context.
Egypt’s
growing presence in Djibouti’s ports, and their unified rejection of external
actors seeking maritime influence, are clearly designed to counter Ethiopia’s
sea access ambitions — and, by extension, to constrain Somaliland’s growing
importance as a regional gateway.
While others focus on
reinforcing old monopolies and exclusionary systems, Somaliland continues to
build. Our leadership has prioritised peace, unity, and open engagement with
international partners. From Berbera’s expansion to strengthening our ties with
democratic allies like Taiwan, Somaliland is charting a future defined by
stability and opportunity.
Let’s
be clear: Somaliland is not Somalia.
We are
not part of the dysfunction in Mogadishu, and we refuse to be drawn into crises
we did not cause and do not benefit from. The louder our detractors shout —
whether from Djibouti, Mogadishu, or Beijing — the clearer it becomes why
Somaliland deserves its rightful place among the community of nations.
Recognition
is not something that can be stopped with political manoeuvring or whispered
promises behind closed doors. The world is shifting. People are watching.
Somaliland’s record — peace, democracy, and resilience — speaks louder than any
campaign of disruption around us.
The
Red Sea’s future is being reshaped — and for Ethiopia, the urgency to secure
alternative sea access has never been greater. For Somaliland, the opportunity
to cement its strategic relevance has never been clearer.
The
question is not whether the future will change. It is whether Somaliland will
continue to lead that change — with the same steady, determined spirit that
built our peace from the ground up.
We are
moving forward. With or without the approval of those clinging to the past, we
know who we are. It is the people of Somaliland — through their resilience,
patience, and unwavering commitment to peace — who have built this progress.
Others
may try to block it, but history will remember who chose to build a future, and
who chose to stand in the way.
The writer is a former representative of the of Republic of
Somaliland to the United Arab Emirates and to Kenya.
