Strategic Offer by Somalia Presents U.S. With Complex Choice on Port and Airbase Access

 In Spring 2025, Somalia extended a significant—but controversial—proposal to the United States: operational control of two critical seaports and two airbases. However, all four sites are located in the breakaway regions of Puntland and Somaliland—territories that are effectively outside the purview of Somalia’s federal governA leaked March letter from Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to U.S. President Donald Trump outlines the offer, granting exclusive U.S. access to the airbases at Balidogle and Berbera, along with the seaports at Berbera and Bosaso. The initiative aims to strengthen American military and logistical presence in the Horn of Africa and bolster efforts against Al-Shabaab, a growing extremist threat with alleged new links to Yemen’s Houthi movement.

President Mohamud noted in the letter:

“These strategically positioned assets provide an opportunity to bolster American engagement in the region, ensuring uninterrupted military and logistical access while preventing external competitors from establishing a presence in this critical corridor.”

In late April, Mohamud further claimed Somali intelligence had intercepted Houthi shipments of explosives and drones bound for Al-Shabaab—fueling the urgency of the offer.

🇸🇴 Somaliland’s Resistance

Somaliland—a self-declared, unrecognized state since 1991—rejected Mogadishu’s outreach. Foreign Minister Abdirahman Dahir Aden dismissed it as a “desperate” federal ploy and emphasized on social media:

“The USA is not stupid. They know who they need to deal with when it comes to Berbera port.”

He cautioned that any agreement made in Mogadishu would disregard the region’s de facto control over the port.ment in Mogadishu.

The U.S. Decision Matrix

The U.S. now faces three diverging paths:

1. Partner with Mogadishu, risking confrontation with Somaliland.

2. Recognize Somaliland and secure control of Berbera—but trigger diplomatic backlash with Somalia and other regional powers.

3. Delay action, maintaining the status quo while continuing intermittent military cooperation.

Of particular interest is Berbera, a strategically located port on the Gulf of Aden, complemented by an airport with one of Africa’s longest runways—once a NASA space shuttle emergency site. Despite modern updates by UAE’s DP World, it remains underutilized.

Somaliland’s Quest for Legitimacy

With approximately five million residents and a functioning governance system—complete with its own currency, passports, and electoral process—Somaliland has sought international recognition for decades. It briefly declared independence in 1960 and, more recently, signed a 2024 agreement with Ethiopia granting transit rights in exchange for support for its statehood bid.

A U.S. military foothold in Berbera could dramatically shift this dynamic, effectively advancing Somaliland’s push for global legitimacy. But such a move risks destabilising Somali federal unity and inspiring separatist movements across Africa.

Puntland and Bosaso

The proposal also targets Bosaso, Puntland’s key port city and international airport, modernized with UAE investment. Puntland proclaimed autonomy in March 2024 and remains politically ambivalent, but a federal deal involving Bosaso could ignite new tensions.

 A Region in Flux

Somalia continues to battle multiple extremist factions. Al-Shabaab’s offensives in Hiraan and Middle Shabelle provinces have surged nearly 50% year-over-year. Meanwhile, ISIS-affiliate violence in Puntland adds complexity. Earlier this year, militants launched a failed assassination attempt on President Mohamud near Mogadishu's airport.

Though Somalia's government increasingly partners with internationally backed militia forces—and benefits from U.S. airstrikes coordinated with Tanzania-based troops—the region remains volatile.

🌏 Geopolitical Stakes

The U.S. already operates Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti, its primary African military base. Expanding into Berbera, Bosaso, or both would intensify U.S.–China competition in the Horn of Africa. With negotiations underway to potentially recognize Somaliland in exchange for base access, Mogadishu has engaged U.S. lobbyists as a counter-offer strategy.

Any U.S. decision to support Somaliland—even informally—could destabilize ongoing counter-terrorism cooperation and encourage further fragmentation within Somalia.

🔍 The Road Ahead

As the U.S. weighs its options—balancing strategic military gains against regional instability and diplomatic repercussions—the future of Somalia’s territorial integrity hangs in the balance. Whether through federal consent, engagement with autonomous regions, or cautious delay, America’s response will set a precedent for the region’s political evolution.