In a significant diplomatic engagement, President H.E. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro of the Republic of Somaliland welcomed Senator Keyse Jama, a U.S. Senator from Oregon of Somaliland origin, in Hargeisa. The visit marks a milestone in Somaliland’s ongoing efforts to strengthen ties with the United States and advance its quest for international recognition.
The meeting, attended by the Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mohamed Abdirahman, and members of the Somaliland diaspora, focused on Somaliland’s progress in governance, security, and its push for global recognition. President Irro highlighted the nation’s stability, democratic institutions, and recent reforms, including a 50% salary increase for the armed forces.
Senator Jama, a prominent figure in Oregon’s Senate, expressed admiration for Somaliland’s democratic achievements and pledged to amplify the diaspora’s advocacy for Somaliland’s independence in the U.S. He emphasized the potential for deeper U.S.-Somaliland collaboration, particularly in trade and security, citing Somaliland’s strategic position in the Horn of Africa near the Red Sea.
The visit comes amid growing U.S. interest in Somaliland, with lawmakers like Senator Ted Cruz and Congressman Tom Tiffany advocating for its recognition as a counterbalance to Chinese influence in the Horn of Africa.
“This is a historic moment for Somaliland,” said Mohamed Abdirahman, Somaliland’s Foreign Ministry Director General, in a statement. “Engagements like these with influential figures of Somaliland origin strengthen our case on the global stage.”