In a potential turning point for U.S. policy in the Horn of Africa, a new legislative proposal, SEC. 305 of H.R. 5300—the Department of State Policy Provisions Act—is gaining momentum in the 119th Congress (2025-2026). Introduced under the leadership of House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian J. Mast (R-FL), this section signals a move away from the long-standing “One Somalia” policy by enhancing travel and investment ties with Somaliland.
The bill, referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, aims to foster deeper U.S. engagement with Somaliland. Recent discussions in congressional committees have highlighted Somaliland’s strategic role in countering China’s expanding influence in the region, adding geopolitical urgency to the proposal.
Key Provisions of SEC. 305 The proposal directs the U.S. Secretary of State to consider two significant steps, as outlined in the bill text: –
Establishing a Representative Office in Hargeisa:
This would mark the first formal U.S. presence in Somaliland’s capital, facilitating diplomatic engagement, support for American citizens, and assistance for U.S. businesses operating in Somaliland. Such an office could streamline visa processes, provide consular services, and promote trade.
-Bifurcating Travel Advisories:
Separating travel warnings for Somaliland from those for federal Somalia, acknowledging Somaliland’s relative stability amid Somalia’s ongoing security challenges, including terrorism and civil unrest.
A dedicated advisory for Somaliland could reflect its lower risk profile, encouraging tourism, investment, and humanitarian efforts. These measures build on prior bipartisan efforts, such as the 2022 letter from House Foreign Affairs Committee members urging increased engagement with Somaliland for its democratic stability and counter-terrorism cooperation.
If advanced in the 2025 legislative session, SEC. 305 could pass as part of broader State Department authorization, though it stops short of the full independence recognition proposed in separate bills like H.R. 3992 (Republic of Somaliland Independence Act).
A Shift from “One Somalia”
The “One Somalia” policy, which supports Somalia’s territorial integrity, has been a cornerstone of U.S. diplomacy since the collapse of Somalia’s central government in 1991. However, critics argue it overlooks Somaliland’s distinct trajectory as a de facto independent entity that has held democratic elections and maintained relative peace for over three decades. Somaliland reclaimed its independence in 1991, operates its own government, currency, and security forces, and has conducted peaceful elections, including the 2024 presidential vote won by opposition leader Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, marking a smooth power transfer that bolstered its democratic credentials.
The Heritage Foundation, in analyses including a 2025 report tied to Project 2025, has advocated for U.S. recognition, citing Somaliland’s democratic governance, free-market orientation, and strategic position as a counterweight to China’s influence in the Horn of Africa—particularly in nearby Djibouti, where Beijing maintains a military base.
Chairman Mast’s backing, as the committee’s new leader since January 2025, indicates strong Republican momentum, aligning with broader conservative pushes for rewarding stable partners in volatile regions. SEC. 305 represents a pragmatic “twin-track” approach, treating Somaliland separately in practice.
Economic and Geopolitical Implications
Somaliland’s economy, heavily reliant on $2 billion in annual diaspora remittances stands to benefit from increased U.S. investment in sectors like ports (e.g., the Berbera port, key for regional trade), telecommunications, and agriculture. Urbanization and a growing middle class, including returning diaspora, are driving demand for U.S. products like ready-made foods and equipment. Geopolitically, the move could strengthen U.S. ties with a stable partner in a volatile region, where China has expanded via Belt and Road initiatives. The UK’s upgrade of relations and the UAE’s consulate in Hargeisa already demonstrate international acknowledgment of Somaliland’s stability.
A 2025 analysis in The Conversation highlights how Somaliland’s democratic credentials—peaceful elections and inclusive governance—could pressure other nations to deepen ties, positioning it as a model in Africa amid rising illiberal trends. Recent congressional letters, including one from the Select Committee on the CCP in September 2025, urge bifurcating advisories to reflect Somaliland’s success in preventing terrorism and piracy, further incentivizing U.S. commerce.
Bifurcation in Diplomacy: Manifestations and Strategies Bifurcation manifests in diplomacy through economic, political, and institutional divisions, often as a deliberate tactic (e.g., “twin-track” diplomacy) or an emergent outcome of rivalries. In the U.S.-Somaliland context, it allows parallel engagement: treating Somaliland as distinct for practical purposes like trade and security cooperation. This approach rearranges traditional alliances by rewarding de facto autonomy, as seen in Ethiopia’s 2024 memorandum granting Somaliland sea access in exchange for recognition support. If SEC. 305 advances, it could set a precedent for similar “twin-track” policies elsewhere, rearranging power dynamics in the Horn of Africa by isolating stable actors from unstable ones.