The Republic of Somaliland has put a clear deal on the table for Washington. In February 2026, its minister of the presidency stated the territory is ready to grant the United States exclusive access to critical minerals—including rare earth elements, lithium, and others vital for technology and defense—plus rights to establish military bases at the strategic port of Berbera.
This comes as Somaliland presses hard for formal international recognition. Israel already took the step in late December 2025, becoming the first nation to recognize it as an independent state, citing shared security interests in the Red Sea region.
Berbera sits at a key chokepoint near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, through which a large share of global trade and oil flows. With tensions rising in the Gulf and routes shifting toward the Red Sea, Somaliland positions itself as a reliable, stable partner—unlike Somalia, which remains mired in conflict and dysfunction.
Somaliland has maintained peace, held elections, built institutions, and kept its own currency and borders since reclaiming independence in 1991 after union with Somalia collapsed amid atrocities. It now offers the U.S. a low-risk alternative to volatile basing arrangements elsewhere, including potential relocation of assets from places like Al Udeid.
The proposal is straightforward: deliver recognition, gain strategic footholds and resource access that strengthen American interests against rivals like China and Iran. Somaliland delivers governance and security where others fail. Washington should seize the opportunity before others do.
