Somaliland offers US exclusive mineral access, military bases

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Somaliland offers the United States exclusive access to minerals and military bases in pursuit of recognition.
The breakaway region highlights strategic location and untapped critical resources amid global competition.

Somaliland, the self-declared independent region in northern Somalia, has proposed granting the United States exclusive access to its mineral resources and military bases, signaling a push for international recognition.

In an interview with Agence France-Presse on Saturday, Khadar Hussein Abdi, Somaliland’s Minister of the Presidency, emphasized the territory’s readiness to form strategic partnerships with Washington.

“We are open to agreements that benefit both Somaliland and the United States,” he said.

Strategic resources and partnerships

Somaliland declared independence in 1991 and maintains de facto governance, including its own institutions, currency, and security forces.

Despite this, it remains unrecognized internationally, with Somalia asserting sovereignty over the region.
Officials in Hargeisa have highlighted untapped deposits of lithium, coltan, and other minerals critical for electronics, batteries, and green technologies.

Somaliland has previously signed exploration deals, including a 2024 agreement with Saudi firm Kilomass targeting lithium extraction.

These resources position Somaliland as a potential alternative supplier amid global reliance on dominant producers like China.

Location Offers Security Value

The region’s location along the Gulf of Aden, opposite Yemen, provides strategic opportunities for monitoring Houthi movements, safeguarding shipping lanes, and addressing regional instability.

Minister Abdi noted that while discussions with the United States are ongoing, similar arrangements could be considered with ‘Israel’, which formally recognized Somaliland in December 2025.

Somaliland’s outreach to Washington builds on prior lobbying efforts, including proposals for military facilities near Berbera port and economic cooperation framed as incentives for recognition.

Analysts note such offers align with US interests in the Horn of Africa, particularly countering Chinese influence and ensuring regional security.

International Implications

No formal response from the US has been reported as of February 22.

Any potential agreements would need to navigate US policy on Somalia’s territorial integrity, regional reactions, including from the African Union, which rejected ‘Israels’ recognition, and broader security considerations.

Somaliland’s strategy underscores its pragmatic approach to leveraging strategic assets and critical minerals to advance its decades-long pursuit of sovereignty.