Somaliland Foreign Minister Abdirahman Dahir Adam led a delegation to Washington, D.C., engaging in high-level discussions with U.S. Congressional leaders and the Hudson Institute to strengthen ties between the United States and the self-governing region of Somaliland. The meetings, held on May 23, 2025, involved Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX), Rep. John Moolenaar (R-MI), Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-WI), Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA), Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN), and Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), focusing on shared priorities such as security cooperation, economic ties, and countering China’s growing influence in the Horn of Africa.
In a post on X, Minister Adam highlighted productive talks with Rep. Jackson, emphasizing enhanced security collaboration in the strategically vital Horn of Africa, a critical chokepoint for global trade routes along the Gulf of Aden. Similarly, discussions with Rep. Moolenaar underscored his advocacy for establishing a U.S. representative office in Hargeisa, Somaliland’s capital, as a step toward formalizing ties despite Somaliland’s lack of international recognition. Meetings with Rep. Tiffany and Rep. Perry further reinforced bipartisan support, with Perry notably introducing the Republic of Somaliland Independence Act (H.R.10402) in December 2024 to push for U.S. recognition of Somaliland’s sovereignty.
A separate X post detailed Minister Adam’s meeting with Rep. Burchett, focusing on stability, economic growth, and diplomacy, highlighting Somaliland’s strategic role in the region. The delegation’s engagement with Senator Cruz, as noted in another X post, centered on boosting trade and cooperation under the U.S. “Trade Not Aid” policy, leveraging Somaliland’s rich resources and stable governance. Additionally, talks at the Hudson Institute, a key advocate for Somaliland’s recognition through experts like Joshua Meservey, explored strategic partnerships to counter regional instability and Chinese influence, aligning with the institute’s January 2025 report on U.S.-Somaliland relations.
These meetings follow Somaliland’s presidential election in November 2024, where Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Irro) of the Waddani party was elected, succeeding Muse Bihi Abdi. President Abdullahi’s administration has prioritized international engagement, with Minister Adam laying the groundwork for a potential presidential visit to the U.S., as reported by the Somali Guardian in April 2025. The discussions build on prior initiatives, such as the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act supporting collaboration with Somaliland and a 2022 visit by the U.S. Africa Command commander to Hargeisa, noted by the Atlantic Council.