Hargeisa, Somaliland – In a significant diplomatic and strategic move, the self-declared Republic of Somaliland announced its readiness to grant the United States exclusive rights to exploit its mineral resources. Furthermore, it opened the door to the establishment of US military bases on its territory.
These statements come as the region seeks to bolster its international standing. This follows its historic recognition by Israel as a “sovereign and independent state” in late December.
Strategic proposal for Washington
In an interview with AFP, Presidential Affairs Minister Khadar Hussein Abdi affirmed his country’s complete openness to military and economic cooperation with Washington. He stated, “We are prepared to grant the United States exclusive mining rights, and we are also open to the idea of providing military bases for the United States… We believe we will reach some kind of agreement with Washington.”
This invitation carries significant weight given Somaliland’s geostrategic location. It overlooks the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital waterway connecting the Indian Ocean to the Suez Canal. Moreover, a US naval base is already located in the area. It is in neighboring Djibouti.
Undiscovered riches and a partnership with Israel
For his part, the Minister of Energy and Mines indicated that Somaliland possesses strategic minerals whose quantities have not yet been precisely determined. This is due to the lack of comprehensive studies. This represents a major investment opportunity for the United States.
In a related matter, the offers were not limited to Washington. They also included Israel. The President of Somaliland, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, raised the possibility of granting Israel concessions for exploiting mineral resources.
Regarding the possibility of establishing an Israeli military base, Minister Abdi stated that “nothing is off the table” within the framework of the strategic partnership expected to be signed soon in Israel.
tense regional context
Analysts believe this accelerated rapprochement with Western powers and Israel stems from Somaliland’s strategic location opposite Yemen. The Red Sea region experiences escalating security tensions.
Despite these overtures, the Somaliland government has been quick to deny rumors about accepting displaced Palestinians. It described them as “baseless claims.” It has emphasized that its primary objective is to secure broad international recognition and develop its national resources.
