Wednesday July 30, 2025
Hargeisa (HOL) — Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Cirro has announced that his administration is prepared to host a U.S. military base in the port city of Berbera and offer access to valuable mineral resources, including lithium, as part of a broader strategy to gain international recognition.
In an interview with Bloomberg, President Cirro revealed that Somaliland has established “good relations” with both the U.S. Department of Defense and the Department of State, signaling growing ties between the self-declared republic and Washington.
“If the U.S. is interested in establishing a base in Somaliland, we welcome it,” said Cirro, adding that his government is ready to offer a deal involving the critical mineral lithium—a key component in electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy storage. While Somaliland does not currently produce lithium, a Saudi Arabian company, Kilomass Co., was granted exploration rights in 2024 to survey land with potential lithium deposits, according to the Somaliland Chronicle.
Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but remains unrecognized internationally, has long sought to assert its sovereignty through stability, democratic governance, and engagement with global partners.
“Our main goal remains international recognition,” Cirro emphasized. “But the path to that goal lies in cooperating with the world on security, trade, counterterrorism, piracy, and smuggling.”
The strategic port city of Berbera, located on the Gulf of Aden, already hosts a UAE military presence and serves as a logistical hub for regional maritime operations. U.S. interest in expanding its military footprint in the Horn of Africa could place Somaliland in a pivotal position amid growing geopolitical competition.
In addition to potential lithium reserves, Somaliland is known for its deposits of iron ore, gemstones, gypsum, and gold, according to a 2023 African Mining report. President Cirro sees the country’s untapped natural wealth as another incentive for international engagement.
The president also announced plans to visit the United States to discuss deeper bilateral cooperation. “The agreements we are entering into with the United States are not conditional on recognition, but we believe that such cooperation can foster better understanding and appreciation,” he said.
Cirro reiterated that Somaliland’s long-term strategy centers on securing peace, expanding the economy, and deepening international ties—all aimed at achieving formal statehood.
Despite the lack of international recognition, Somaliland has maintained a functioning government, held democratic elections, and developed its own currency, security forces, and passport system. The latest diplomatic overture to the United States marks a new chapter in its decades-long campaign for global legitimacy.
