In a shocking revelation that underscores the depths of Somalia’s political dysfunction, the unelected government of Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud has been caught diverting foreign aid to bankroll an extravagant $50,000-per-month contract with the Washington, D.C.-based lobbying powerhouse BGR Group. This deal, paid for with funds meant to alleviate Somalia’s worsening humanitarian crises, is part of a broader campaign to sabotage Somaliland’s growing international legitimacy.
At the same time, the cracks in Somalia’s already fragile state are deepening. With Puntland and Jubaland inching closer to full secession and Mogadishu barely holding control over its immediate surroundings, President Mohamoud’s administration has prioritized costly lobbying, clandestine arms deals, and destabilization efforts in Somaliland over addressing the urgent needs of its own people.
The deal with BGR Group, officially aimed at lobbying against Somaliland’s recognition, is emblematic of Somalia’s misplaced priorities and endemic corruption. Instead of using international aid to address the famine, poverty, and insecurity plaguing the country, Somalia’s government is funneling resources into lobbying campaigns designed to keep Somaliland under its sphere of influence—a strategy that has failed for over three decades.
This is not an isolated incident. Mogadishu has also allegedly struck deals with China and Egypt to procure weapons, which are being funneled to tribal militias in Somaliland’s eastern regions of Sanaag and Sool. These militias, armed and funded by the Somali government, are part of a deliberate effort to create chaos and project an image of instability in Somaliland. The goal is clear: to undermine Somaliland’s hard-earned reputation as a peaceful and democratic state, thereby discouraging international recognition.
Somalia’s actions against Somaliland stand in stark contrast to its own internal chaos. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud has been accused of ties to extremist group Al-Shabaab—a group he has ostensibly declared war on—and of exploiting these alleged connections to secure international counterterrorism funding. Meanwhile, Mogadishu remains isolated as Puntland and Jubaland push for greater autonomy, if not outright independence.
Somalia’s fragmentation is accelerating, and Mogadishu’s authority is diminishing. Even as its government struggles to hold the capital, it continues to squander aid on high-profile lobbying efforts that have no bearing on its immediate crises.
Meanwhile, while Somalia descends further into dysfunction, Somaliland has emerged as a rare success story in the Horn of Africa. Over the past 30 years, Somaliland has built a functioning democratic system, held peaceful elections, and maintained stability in a volatile region. It has achieved these milestones without significant international aid, relying instead on self-governance, local leadership, and the resilience of its people.
Somaliland’s achievements have not gone unnoticed. U.S. Congressman Scott Perry recently introduced a groundbreaking bill to Congress advocating for Somaliland’s recognition as an independent state. Perry’s proposal is a bold challenge to the outdated “one Somalia” policy, which he argues has failed to address the realities on the ground.
“Somaliland has proven itself to be a beacon of stability and democracy in a volatile region,” Perry said when introducing the bill. “The ‘one Somalia’ policy has achieved nothing but chaos. It’s time for the United States to recognize Somaliland’s independence and support its continued progress.”
For decades, the international community has clung to the idea of a unified Somalia, hoping to rebuild a fractured nation under a single government. But this vision has proven unattainable. Somalia remains a patchwork of rival factions, with Mogadishu unable to enforce its authority even within its borders.
The “one Somalia” policy has not only failed Somalia but has also punished Somaliland—a nation that has thrived independently for over three decades. By denying Somaliland recognition, the international community has enabled Mogadishu’s corrupt leadership to continue its destabilizing campaigns.
The BGR Group contract is a stark reminder of how far Somalia’s government is willing to go to preserve the illusion of unity. This $50,000-per-month retainer—paid for with funds meant to feed the hungry and provide shelter for the displaced—represents the ultimate betrayal of Somalia’s people.
“This is more than corruption,” said a regional analyst. “It’s a deliberate act of sabotage, not just against Somaliland but against the Somali people, who desperately need real leadership and solutions.”
Congressman Perry’s bill offers a new vision for the Horn of Africa: one that rewards Somaliland’s stability, democracy, and self-reliance. By recognizing Somaliland, the international community can send a powerful message that good governance and peace will be rewarded, not undermined.
“The time for Somaliland’s recognition is now,” Perry said. “It’s not just about acknowledging reality—it’s about supporting a nation that has done everything right, even in the face of adversity.”
As Somalia’s government continues to implode under the weight of its corruption and mismanagement, the world must act decisively. The “one Somalia” policy is a relic of the past. Somaliland’s recognition is not just a moral imperative but a practical step toward stability and progress in the Horn of Africa.
The international community faces a choice: continue enabling Mogadishu’s failed leadership or support Somaliland as a beacon of hope in a region desperate for change. One thing is clear—Somalia’s lobbying scandals and destabilization efforts have only strengthened the case for Somaliland’s independence. The time to act is now.
By Prof. Nassir Hussein Kahin, Hargeisa, Somaliland.