President Irro underscored that any nation interested in securing the Horn region’s sea lanes should work directly with the Republic of Somaliland
Major General Claude K. Tudor Jr. reaffirmed that the United States and Somaliland share vital security interests across land and maritime domains
M.A. Egge.
The President of the Republic of Somaliland, H.E. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro, held high-level strategic talks on Saturday with Major General Claude K. Tudor Jr., Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command Africa (SOCAFRICA), in a meeting focused on expanding bilateral security cooperation and reinforcing stability across the Horn of Africa.
The meeting, attended by senior officials from both sides, underscored the growing security relationship between Somaliland and the United States, with discussions centered on safeguarding the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait—one of the world’s most critical maritime corridors.
President Irro welcomed Major General Tudor and his delegation to Somaliland, describing the visit as an important step toward strengthening cooperation on shared strategic and security interests.
Joining the President were the Minister of Foreign Affairs, senior officials from the Presidency, the Commanders of the Somaliland National Army and Police, and the President’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs.
During the discussions, President Irro emphasized Somaliland’s strategic geographic importance, noting that the country possesses more than 850 kilometers of coastline along vital international shipping routes linking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
He stated that safeguarding Somaliland’s coastline contributes directly to regional and global maritime security, arguing that the country’s role in protecting these waters makes it an indispensable security partner in the Horn of Africa.
The President further stressed that Somaliland should be directly engaged by international partners seeking cooperation on maritime security, saying that any nation interested in securing the region’s sea lanes should work directly with the Republic of Somaliland.
Highlighting Somaliland’s internal stability, President Irro reaffirmed that the country has maintained peace, functioning state institutions, and a democratic political system for more than 35 years, making it a reliable partner for international security cooperation.
He also reiterated Somaliland’s readiness to establish sustained cooperation with the United States military and security agencies to combat terrorism, piracy, organized crime, and other transnational threats affecting the region.
Major General Claude K. Tudor Jr. welcomed the opportunity to strengthen relations, stating that the United States and Somaliland share significant security interests on both land and at sea.
He noted that maintaining stability in the Horn of Africa and protecting international maritime routes remain strategic priorities for both sides.
The SOCAFRICA commander further affirmed Washington’s willingness to expand collaboration with Somaliland on issues of mutual strategic importance, including enhanced coordination, intelligence sharing, professional exchanges, and broader security cooperation in the future.
The meeting concluded with both delegations expressing a shared commitment to deepen cooperation and strengthen their partnership in addressing regional security challenges and advancing common strategic interests.