A delegation from the Somaliland Ministry of Trade and Tourism, currently on an official working visit to France, recently held a strategic meeting with officials from the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. As the largest administrative region in France, Nouvelle-Aquitaine plays a key role in overseeing tourism development, cultural affairs, innovation, and international cooperation—regularly forging partnerships with nations and global organizations.
The Somaliland delegation included the Director of the Department of Tourism and Antiquities, the Manager of the Minister’s Office, the Director of the Somaliland National Museum and his advisor, as well as representatives from Expertise France—the French public agency for international technical assistance. They were warmly received by senior officials representing the Nouvelle-Aquitaine regional administration.
The discussions centered on presenting each side’s respective mandates and exploring avenues to strengthen bilateral ties. With technical and logistical support from Expertise France, both parties examined potential joint ventures aimed at advancing Somaliland’s tourism sector, facilitating cultural exchange, and preserving the Republic of Somaliland’s historical and archaeological heritage.
Areas of particular interest included capacity building for museum management, the restoration and protection of antiquities, the development of sustainable tourism infrastructure, and the promotion of cultural events that highlight Somaliland’s unique identity and history. Both sides acknowledged the value of sharing best practices and fostering people-to-people connections through heritage and tourism initiatives.
The meeting concluded with a mutual understanding and a formal agreement on the critical importance of further deepening their collaborative ties. Moving forward, both parties expressed their commitment to translating these discussions into actionable plans, with continued support from Expertise France serving as a bridge for future cooperation.
Hargeisa – June 2, 2026 – The Somaliland Electricity Regulatory Commission has held an emergency meeting with private power utilities, during which Indho Power formally retracted a recent unauthorized tariff increase and committed to correcting all affected customer bills.
The meeting was led by the Commission’s Deputy Chairman, Mr. Eid Saleban Ali, alongside members of the regulatory board and the Commission’s Director General, Mr. Eng. Mohamed Axhmed Ibrahim (Arnab). Discussions centered on Indho Power’s unilateral price hike and its adverse impact on electricity consumers.
During the proceedings, Indho Power acknowledged the irregularity of its decision, publicly withdrew the price increase, and pledged to revise all bills issued under the inflated rate. The company further committed to ensuring that all customers receive accurate billing based on the legally approved tariff.
The Commission reiterated that all power companies must strictly adhere to established regulations, laws, and procedures governing electricity services. It warned that no price changes may be implemented without following the proper legal channels. The regulator also stressed the importance of protecting consumer rights, maintaining service transparency, and avoiding any measures that could harm the public interest.
In addition, the Commission called on all electricity providers to strengthen consultation and accountability mechanisms whenever issues related to pricing or service delivery arise.
The Somaliland Electricity Regulatory Commission confirmed that it will closely monitor Indho Power’s implementation of the billing corrections and ensure full compliance with its regulatory directives.
HARGEISA — The Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Somaliland, represented by Director General Mahmoud Abdul Razzaq Abdi, joined the Somaliland Bar Association (SOLLA) in commemorating Somaliland Lawyer’s Day and the Annual B Justice Fair. The event saw broad participation from government officials, academics, representatives of independent institutions, and members of the legal and judicial sectors.
In his speech, Director General Abdi emphasized the central role of lawyers in protecting the Constitution, upholding the rule of law, promoting justice, and defending the public rights and freedoms of citizens. He described the legal profession as an essential cornerstone in building an institutional state and consolidating good governance.
The President of the Somaliland Bar Association explained that May 31st is designated as Lawyer’s Day, as it coincides with the anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of Somaliland. He noted that this day serves as a national milestone reflecting a steadfast commitment to constitutional values and the rule of law.
The event provided a platform to highlight the role of legal institutions in developing the justice system and promoting legal awareness, as well as to review border justice efforts and facilitate the exchange of experiences among legal experts and professionals.
Congratulatory Remarks from SOLLA Leadership
On the occasion of Somaliland Lawyer’s Day, Lawyer Muse Yusuf, Director of Public Relations of (SOLLA), extended heartfelt congratulations and appreciation to all members of the association, the justice sector, and their families.
“I pray to Almighty Allah to grant us the opportunity to witness this occasion again in peace, good health, prosperity, and progress,” he said. He further noted that this day is dedicated to recognizing the vital role lawyers play in upholding the rule of law, defending human rights, advancing justice, and strengthening the democratic system of the Republic of Somaliland.
Lawyer Muse Yusuf also expressed sincere gratitude to all national, international, and local institutions that cooperate and work closely with SOLLA. He extended particular thanks to national leaders, ministries, government institutions, civil society organizations, and all distinguished guests who participated in the Lawyer’s Day event held in Hargeisa.
He highly commended the dedication and unity of the Somaliland legal community and encouraged its members to continue strengthening professional ethics, judicial independence, and the legal services provided to society.
In conclusion, he urged all attendees to continue promoting the aspirations embodied in this year’s theme: “Justice Beyond Borders.”
The Yemeni National Resistance Forces intercepted and seized more than 750 tons of munitions and hardware, including hundreds of advanced cruise, anti-ship and anti-aircraft missiles and warheads, along with hundreds of drone components intended for use by the Iranian-backed Houthis. Credit: Courtesy of U.S. Central Command Public Affairs.
Habtom Ghebrezghiabher, Ph.D., from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, is an expert on geopolitical and security dynamics in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region.
( May 31, 2026 / JNS )
Recent reports of renewed Houthi rearmament should alarm every serious policymaker in Washington, Jerusalem and the Gulf. Instead, the current trajectory of American action in the Red Sea—coddling the Houthis while courting the Eritrean dictator, an Iranian proxy and ally—risks sending a dangerous message: Hostility toward the United States and Israel pays off.
A May 2026 report by Conflict Armament Research (CAR) confirms that the Houthis are not weakening, but actively rearming and rebuilding. After documenting more than 800 missile and UAV components seized in the Red Sea, CAR traced a persistent, Iranian-facilitated supply chain fueling this expanding arsenal. While the West talks of de-escalation, Iran is methodically arming its proxy, ensuring that the Red Sea remains a theater of sustained aggression.
The Houthis launched missile and drone attacks against U.S. and Israeli targets in October 2023. Although Washington initially countered with “Operation Prosperity Guardian” and major strikes in early 2024, the strategy collapsed in May 2025. U.S. President Donald Trump’s ceasefire, which failed to demand an end to attacks on Israel, granted the group a reprieve, easing pressure while they cynically maintained their anti-Israel offensive.
The Houthis viewed the ceasefire as a confession of American defeat. By ignoring the group’s relentless Red Sea destabilization and aggression toward Israel, the agreement signaled that the United States was willing to trade regional security for a hollow, temporary peace. They saw this not as a settlement, but as a surrender. They do not see concessions as a pathway to stability; they see them as the ultimate opportunity to rearm, regroup and strike with even greater impunity.
The Houthis are no mere isolated militia; they are Iran’s frontline proxy for projecting power across the Red Sea. They serve as Tehran’s primary tool for strangling shipping lanes, bullying Gulf states, and striking the United States and Israel by proxy. The Houthis act as Iran’s escalation lever—a force deployed to raise or lower regional pressure without requiring direct Iranian involvement.
The Houthis were already emboldened by the Saudi-led coalition’s truce in April 2022. Riyadh’s pivot from eight years of relentless airstrikes to de-escalation sent a decisive signal: The Houthis interpreted it as proof that endurance—not defeat—would dictate the outcome.
The Houthis concluded that they were not being forced into retreat, but were being negotiated with from a position of rising power. Far from achieving deterrence, the lapse in pressure only confirmed their belief that both time and escalation were working in their favor.
A stronger and internationally recognized Somaliland would serve as a stabilizing anchor against piracy, Islamist terrorists, Iranian proxy expansion and Red Sea insecurity.
Consequently, rather than being neutralized, the Houthis gained strategic confidence. Saudi Arabia now faces persistent and heightened threats from the group. In contrast, Israel has consistently treated such entities as existential threats to be met with force rather than concessions. Perhaps Israel offers useful lessons.
This dangerous pattern now extends beyond the Houthis to the Iranian Islamist regime. Throughout the ongoing war, Iran has escalated pressure on the Strait of Hormuz and launched drone and missile operations against U.S. maritime assets. Despite these provocations, the U.S. response remains limited to interceptions, naval posturing and localized strikes.
Applying the lessons learned from the Houthis, Tehran—under the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ military junta—believes that endurance will dictate the outcome. The current negotiations, which reportedly provide Iran access to billions in frozen assets, will effectively reward aggression with concessions. Ultimately, the Islamist regime interprets this caution as a critical lack of resolve.
This dangerous pattern also extends to Iran’s close ally, Eritrea dictator Isaias Afwerki.
Despite years of hostility toward the United States and its allies, coupled with persistent destabilization across Ethiopia and Sudan, Washington is reportedly considering lifting sanctions on Eritrea. This has only emboldened its brutal leader. In a recent Independence Day speech, Afwerki framed America as a power in decline, defended Iran’s nuclear program and criticized the military campaign against Tehran—rhetoric clearly designed to antagonize both the United States and Israel.
This is the fundamental flaw in appeasement toward Iran, its Islamist proxies and its Eritrean ally: All three view their mere survival as a victory, regardless of the suffering they inflict upon their own people. Concessions are interpreted not as opportunities for reconciliation, but as evidence that they have successfully outlasted Western pressure.
Following the Saudi truce in April 2022, the Houthis concluded that they were not being forced into retreat, but were being negotiated with from a position of rising power.
At the very moment that America appears willing to accommodate this “Axis of Chaos,” it continues to fail to fully support the one genuinely pro-Western and stable partner in the region: Somaliland.
Despite decades of stability, democratic governance, counterterrorism cooperation and immense strategic importance along the Gulf of Aden, Somaliland remains unrecognized by the United States. This hesitation persists, even as Somaliland confronts escalating threats from the same anti-U.S. destabilizing actors: Al-Shabaab, the Houthis and Afwerki.
The strategic implications are enormous. Recognition of Somaliland would not merely be symbolic. A stronger and internationally recognized Somaliland would serve as a stabilizing anchor against piracy, Islamist terrorists, Iranian proxy expansion and Red Sea insecurity.
Removing Eritrea’s dictator is a strategic imperative for the Bab el-Mandeb corridor and the Horn of Africa. Partnering with a peaceful, stable Eritrea—the de facto nation-state of the pro-Western indigenous Tigrinya nation—would solidify a security axis between the United States, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia and Somaliland, transforming a volatile chokepoint into a bastion against extremist threats.
Whether dealing with the Houthis, the Iranian Islamist regime or the brutal Eritrean dictator, the principle remains the same: They survive through coercion, terrorism, destabilization and chaos, and rarely abandon those tools voluntarily.
America must stop rewarding dangerous, anti-U.S. actors that thrive on chaos while simultaneously undermining allies seeking stability. To restore order, Washington should strengthen forces resisting the Houthis in Yemen, the Iranian Islamist regime and the Eritrean dictator to remove them and formally recognize Somaliland.
Stability will not come from accommodating Iran, its proxies and its rogue allies. It will come from defeating them. The logic of peace through strength is the only way to deal with such adversaries
WASHINGTON — A new congressional report outlines potential areas for improved U.S. engagement with Somaliland, including security cooperation, diplomatic outreach, and trade investment — while reaffirming Washington’s continued recognition of Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The report, mandated by the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act for 2026, acknowledges Somaliland’s strategic importance in the Horn of Africa. Located near Yemen and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, Somaliland could become a key partner in monitoring commercial and military navigation from the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean, according to the document.
U.S. officials also see potential for cooperation against violent extremist groups, particularly concerning links between Houthi terrorists and al-Shabaab, described as al-Qaida’s largest and wealthiest affiliate.
Diplomatic Engagement, but with Limits
The U.S. Embassy in Mogadishu already conducts regular visits to Somaliland to discuss mutual interests such as security, humanitarian aid, and economic issues. However, U.S. government travel to the region faces the same security restrictions as the rest of Somalia, requiring non-commercial aircraft and other intensive security measures.
Trade and Investment Potential
Somaliland authorities have encouraged U.S. investment in minerals and identified infrastructure, trade, and economic growth as priorities. The report notes that Somaliland’s ports could serve as alternatives to congested regional facilities.
Ongoing development of the Berbera airport and seaports — aimed at creating a trade hub for Somaliland and landlocked Ethiopia — could open new opportunities for U.S. infrastructure investment, exports, and commerce.
However, the report cautions that regional security concerns and Somaliland’s disputed status — including its refusal to cooperate with Somalia’s national authorities — pose significant challenges for investment, banking, and trade.
The United States continues to recognize the Federal Republic of Somalia as the sole sovereign authority over the region, but the report signals a willingness to explore practical cooperation with Somaliland authorities where shared interests align.
EUCAP supported the implementation of a two-day exercise aimed at strengthening coordination and information sharing among Somaliland Coast Guard, Somaliland Immigration and Border Control, and other participating entities.
Through practical maritime scenarios, participants enhanced their operational communication, improved their use of the Indo-Pacific Regional Information Sharing (IORIS) Platform, and strengthened their maritime domain awareness capabilities.
The exercise also fostered stronger inter-agency collaboration and identified areas for future improvement, particularly in internet connectivity and technical support.
Mogadishu – On Monday, international partners expressed growing concern over rising political tensions in Somalia and called on the federal government and opposition leaders to return to dialogue and swiftly agree on a roadmap for elections.
In a joint statement issued on June 1, the United Kingdom, the UN Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), the European Union, Sweden, Switzerland, and Norway urged Somali leaders to prioritize the national interest during what they described as a sensitive political moment.
“We call on all sides to resume dialogue as soon as possible and to quickly reach consensus on an electoral roadmap in the interest of the Somali people,” the statement read.
The partners also warned against any actions that could heighten tensions. “The international community stands ready to support Somali-led talks, if requested,” the statement added.
The appeal follows recent unsuccessful negotiations between the federal government and opposition leaders, who failed to reach an agreement on elections, constitutional reforms, or the political transition process.
Political tensions in Somalia have intensified as the government pushes for a one-person, one-vote election system, while the opposition argues that major reforms are being advanced without broad consensus.
International partners have repeatedly called for dialogue, restraint, and an inclusive political process to prevent further destabilization in the country.
HARGEISA — The President of the Republic of Somaliland, His Excellency Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Cirro), has held a crucial meeting with the Local Government Association of Somaliland (ALGASL) to discuss the essential role of local councils in delivering community services, strengthening decentralization, and advancing modern governance.
President Cirro underscored that local governments represent the level of administration closest to citizens, where the presence and impact of state services are most directly felt. As such, he stressed that it is imperative to enhance their administrative, technical, and financial capacities to enable them to effectively fulfill their mandated responsibilities.
The President further emphasized the need to strengthen cooperation and coordination among all local governments across the country. He noted that sharing best practices would help accelerate the delivery of essential public services that citizens require.
The meeting was also addressed by the Minister of Local Government and Urban Development, as well as the mayors of Berbera, Borama, and Hargeisa. They expressed their gratitude to the President for the meeting and reaffirmed the importance of decentralization and stronger collaboration between the central government and local authorities.
President Cirro specifically highlighted that the relationship and partnership between local governments and the central government are a cornerstone for implementing the nation’s development plans, reinforcing social cohesion, and strengthening national unity.
Following the main meeting, the President held a separate session with the newly appointed Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and the Executive Secretary of a local council. He advised them to carry out their duties with the utmost responsibility and prayed to Almighty Allah (SWT) to grant them success in their new roles.
A dispute over the sale of decommissioned port equipment raises fundamental questions about asset ownership, transparency, and the limits of DP World’s authority under the 2017 agreement with Somaliland.
Since DP World took over the management and modernization of the Berbera Port in 2017, the facility has undergone major infrastructural changes. These changes have included the removal of old, non-functional equipment to make room for new berths and container storage areas. As a result, DP World auctioned off the scrap metal that had been lying idle at the port—but whether that process complied with the law is now under question.
According to a tender document issued on May 12, 2026, DP World explicitly announced the auction of this scrap metal to private buyers.
The Legal Allegations: Who Owned the Old Equipment?
Concerns that DP World may have illegally auctioned the scrap rest on several key legal points:
· Ownership of Former State Assets: Under the agreement between the Somaliland government and DP World, the company owns all new equipment and modernization investments. However, the port’s pre-existing assets—including old cranes, metal structures, and decommissioned machinery—remained state property. As such, any disposal or sale of those assets would have required explicit, prior approval from relevant government bodies, including the Ministry of Finance, the Procurement Committee, or the Auditor General’s office.
· Lack of a Public Auction Process: The core legal question is whether DP World had the right to sell this scrap directly to private metal trading companies without going through the official public auction process that the government normally manages for the disposal of state property.
· Failure of Oversight Institutions: It remains unclear why Somaliland’s financial oversight and auditing bodies have not intervened in these matters to ensure that state assets are not being exploited improperly or without proper accountability.
DP World’s Position
DP World has consistently argued that its goal is to clear and expand the port to meet international standards. The company maintains that any equipment removed from the port should be handled through a process agreed upon with the Joint Venture Committee that oversees the implementation of the 2017 agreement. From the company’s perspective, the scrap auction was a routine part of port modernization, not a legal violation.
Key Legal and Governance Questions
The dispute over the Berbera Port scrap is not merely about discarded metal. It raises a much larger issue: the unclear boundary between DP World’s operational authority and the Somaliland government’s ownership of pre-existing permanent assets. Specifically:
· To what extent can DP World dispose of legacy port equipment without direct government oversight?
· Is the Joint Venture Committee functioning effectively to resolve such disputes?
· Why have financial watchdogs failed to investigate or publicly report on the transaction?
Conclusion: Calls for a Full Investigation
Although the modernization of Berbera Port has been widely hailed as an economic success, the controversy surrounding the scrap metal auction points to a significant gap in transparency and contractual oversight.
To resolve the matter and restore public trust, legal experts and civil society actors argue that the Auditor General and the Ministry of Finance must issue a clear, detailed report that includes:
1. The exact quantity and type of equipment sold.
2. The total revenue generated from the auction.
3. Where those funds were deposited and how they have been used.
Without such disclosure, suspicions will persist that state property was auctioned outside the bounds of the law, undermining both governance and the credibility of the port agreement itself.
Acknowledging his accomplishments, how can Trump next look at a map of the region our nation is currently fighting in and not realize the strategic importance of a black African Muslim nation, the Republic of Somaliland, which is completely opposite in mindset of its intolerant, terror supporting, Arabized jihadi counterpart in Somalia, from which it broke away from several decades ago (similar to the earlier fight of South Sudan to gain independence from the Arabized north committing mass atrocities in Darfur), and not realize that America needs to support these people?
Somaliland is located right across the Persian Gulf from the Houthis in Yemen at the crucial choke point of the Horn of Africa, and already has a long track record of true democracy and peaceful elections.
Imagine what an American military presence could provide for international security in that part of the world. It doesn’t have the moral baggage of Hamas butcher-enabling Qatar, for example, where America has another major military base.
As long as the government agrees, since it risks being targeted by the Iranian mullahs’s Houthi proxies in Yemen, if it grants America the ability to establish naval and military bases, the Houthis will be faced with the fact that American bombers and cruise missiles will be incredibly closer to their targets.
Good bye, Iran-sponsored Houthis, forever, perhaps.
What’s even more exciting is that the people and government actually like America, unlike most other Arab and Arabized Muslim nations which regard the rest of the world with a supremacist disdain as being lowly kafir infidels which need to be led to the Islamic light, one way of another.
