In Mogadishu, Somalia, renewed tensions have emerged between Somalia’s government and the self-declared independent region of Somaliland due to a leaked draft letter from Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to then-U.S. President Donald Trump. The draft offers the United States exclusive control over strategic air bases and seaports, aiming to strengthen American influence in the area. This step seems to reopen existing geopolitical fractures within the Horn of Africa.
The document, dated March 16, was shared on social media and proposes “exclusive operational control” over Berbera and Baledogle air bases along with the ports of Berbera and Bosaso. The purpose, as stated, is to reinforce U.S. engagement while warding off other international interests from this pivotal zone. Historically, the U.S. has assisted Somali forces in combating al-Shabab militants and ISaffiliates through tactical support and airstrikes.
Confirming the document’s authenticity, a high-ranking official from Somalia’s foreign ministry, who spoke anonymously due to a lack of authorization for media engagement, noted uncertainty about whether this offer was finalized or sent. The embassy representing the U.S. chose not to issue a statement regarding the matter.
Berbera, one of the key ports in the letter, is situated within Somaliland, which has consistently advocated for its independence, albeit without international acknowledgment. In an Eid al-Fitr speech, Somaliland’s President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi criticized Somalia’s president, terming his proposition “dangerous.” He urged global stakeholders not to be misled by the central Somali government and insisted that any negotiation concerning Berbera be routed via Somaliland’s elected authorities.
Abdullahi emphasized Somaliland’s autonomous governance, control over its resources and territory, and decision-making capabilities. Following its 1991 declaration of independence after Somalia’s central government collapse, Somaliland has established its distinct government, security apparatus, and currency, conducting regular elections.
This scenario highlights ongoing regional geopolitical complexities. Last year, Somaliland clinched a deal granting Ethiopia, a neighboring landlocked nation, access to construct a port, a move disparaged by Somalia as external meddling. Additionally, the Bosaso port, located in the semi-autonomous Puntland region and noted in the letter, adds another layer of uncertainty. Puntland has yet to officially respond to these developments.