In an open letter released Saturday, Ismail Ahmed, a British-Somalilander fintech mogul and founder of WorldRemit, has urged U.S. President Donald Trump to recognize Somaliland’s independence in exchange for exclusive military access to the strategic Port of Berbera and its adjacent airfield.
The proposal, framed as a cost-free strategic opportunity, positions Somaliland as a potential ally in the geopolitical contest for control of the Red Sea corridor.
Ahmed, who previously exposed corruption in UN aid programs to Somalia before launching the global money transfer company WorldRemit in 2010, argues that U.S. recognition would yield significant returns without financial or military investment. “For the cost-free act of recognition, Washington would gain a loyal partner and prime strategic real estate along the Red Sea—no costly wars, no nation-building required,” he wrote in the letter addressed to Trump.
A Strategic Bargain on the Horn of Africa
Somaliland, since 1991 with a population of approximately five million, has maintained its own currency, passport, and governance structures independent of Somalia. The letter highlights Berbera’s deep-water port and its 4,140-meter runway—among the longest in Africa—as critical assets for U.S. military and commercial operations. Situated near the Bab-el-Mandeb chokepoint, a vital global shipping lane, Berbera could serve as a counterweight to China’s military base in Djibouti, established in 2017.
Ahmed proposes exclusive U.S. access to these facilities, denying other global powers, including China, similar rights. This aligns with growing U.S. interest in the region, where analysts have noted potential for monitoring Chinese activities and securing mineral rights, particularly as tensions rise in the Horn of Africa amid Sudan’s ongoing crisis.
Contrasting Narratives: Somaliland vs. Somalia
The letter draws a stark contrast between Somaliland’s stability and Somalia’s challenges. Ahmed cites an audit suggesting 96% of international aid to Somalia has been lost to corruption—a issue he claims to have witnessed firsthand during his UN tenure, which led to his dismissal, “Somaliland has achieved peace, stability, and democracy on its own,” he asserts, urging a reevaluation of U.S. policy toward the region.
Somaliland’s reclamation of independence followed a decade-long war ending in 1991, after a brief 1960 independence and an unratified union with Somalia. Somalia, which considers Somaliland part of its territory, has not governed the nation since. Ahmed argues that recognition would respect colonial-era boundaries, a principle supported by some African Union precedents.
Geopolitical Timing and Support
The appeal coincides with the Trump administration’s second term, which began in January 2025, and its focus on reducing foreign aid spending while countering China’s global influence.
Recent statements from U.S. lawmakers, including Senator Ted Cruz, have highlighted Somaliland’s potential as a security and diplomatic partner, reinforcing Ahmed’s case.
The proposal also comes as the U.S. reassesses its Horn of Africa strategy, where instability in Somalia—marked by Al-Shabaab’s control of swaths of territory—and China’s regional presence have raised concerns. Ahmed suggests that recognizing Somaliland could redirect resources from a “failed” Somalia policy to a proven success.
A Panama Canal Moment?
Drawing a historical parallel, Ahmed likens the deal to President Theodore Roosevelt’s 1903 recognition of Panama to secure the Panama Canal, framing Berbera as a 21st-century strategic prize.
“This is your chance to redraw the map in America’s favor, counter China, and cement your legacy,” he told Trump, appealing to the president’s reputation for bold decision-making.
Nonetheless, Ahmed’s letter has thrust Somaliland into the global spotlight, raising questions about whether Trump will seize this opportunity to reshape U.S. influence in the Horn region.