By Jama Ayaanle Feyte live in Washington DC
Washington, D.C. — The President of the Republic of Somaliland, H.E. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Irro), concluded the second day of his Capitol Hill meetings in Washington, D.C., holding separate private discussions with Congressman Brian Mast (R–Florida), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Senator Mike Rounds (R–SD).
Notably, both lawmakers have authored legislation advancing Somaliland’s interests, including the Somaliland Partnership Act (S. 3861) of March 17, 2022, introduced by Senator Mike Rounds, and the Department of State Policy Provisions Act of September 11, 2025 (H.R. 5300), introduced by Congressman Brian Mast (R–Florida).
The discussions centered on deepening cooperation and strategic partnership between Somaliland and the United States, with particular emphasis on regional security and stability, maritime security, the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, as well as trade, investment, and avenues for economic collaboration between the two sides.
President Abdirahman Cirro impressed upon the U.S. lawmakers Somaliland’s geopolitical, strategic, and economic significance as a nation situated along the vital maritime corridor of the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. He emphasized that a deepened partnership between Somaliland and the United States could substantially contribute to reinforcing regional security, safeguarding international trade routes, and advancing the economic interests of both nations.
The President further underscored that Somaliland firmly believes in and upholds the values and principles upon which the United States was founded — among them freedom, democratic governance, security and stability, development, and the protection of human rights.
He noted that these shared values constitute a vital foundation for building a enduring strategic partnership rooted in mutual trust, shared interests, and far-sighted vision.
The Somaliland President’s visit to Capitol Hill also represents a significant opportunity to convey directly to U.S. policymakers and legislators Somaliland’s perspectives, interests, and strategic opportunities, while forging new relationships and mutual understanding grounded in security cooperation, trade, investment, development, and regional stability.
About the Author: Jama Ayaanle Feyte is a distinguished journalist, a specialist in Horn of Africa security dynamics, and a political analyst whose work focuses on governance, conflict resolution, and regional integration.
