Somaliland lawmaker Ahmed Abdi Ibrahim (Tima-jilic) has described President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro’s ongoing visit to the United States as a significant diplomatic opportunity for advancing Somaliland’s international recognition bid and deepening ties with Washington.
Speaking to Dawan newspaper, Tima-jilic said the President’s visit had taken Somaliland’s diplomatic engagement to a higher level while creating an opportunity to strengthen cooperation between Hargeisa and Washington.
He said one of the central objectives of the visit was to accelerate efforts toward international recognition, with President Irro presenting Somaliland’s interests, aspirations and political position directly to U.S. decision-makers.
“The President is conveying the interests, voice and aspirations of the people of Somaliland directly to the centres of decision-making in the United States,” the lawmaker said.
Recognition at the centre of U.S. engagement
Tima-jilic said the visit should be viewed not only as a diplomatic engagement but also as part of Somaliland’s broader effort to secure international recognition.
He argued that direct engagement with U.S. political institutions could provide Somaliland with an opportunity to explain its position and strengthen understanding of its case among American policymakers.
The lawmaker also pointed to economic opportunities that could emerge from closer relations between Somaliland and the United States, particularly in areas involving the Port of Berbera, the country’s coastline and its natural resources.
He said greater international engagement could help Somaliland attract investment and expand economic cooperation while positioning its strategic assets as potential drivers of regional trade.
Strategic location raises security stakes
Beyond diplomacy and economics, Tima-jilic highlighted Somaliland’s location along the Gulf of Aden and near the Bab al-Mandab Strait as a major factor in its growing strategic importance.
He said closer cooperation with the United States could contribute to maritime security, counterterrorism efforts and the broader stability of the region.
The lawmaker argued that developments in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea have made Somaliland’s geographical position increasingly significant at a time when international powers are paying greater attention to maritime security and regional stability.
“These developments have increased Somaliland’s strategic importance,” he said, arguing that major powers should reconsider their policies toward the region in light of the changing geopolitical environment.
A broader partnership with Washington
Tima-jilic said the reception of President Irro’s delegation in the United States and the meetings being held with political stakeholders demonstrated the importance of the visit.
He described the engagement as an opportunity for Somaliland to develop relations beyond a single political objective, encompassing security, trade, investment and wider economic cooperation.
For Somaliland, the Port of Berbera and its strategic position near one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints provide a foundation for presenting itself as a potential partner in regional security and international commerce.
The lawmaker said Somaliland was prepared to work with any country willing to engage with it on the basis of respect for its sovereignty and statehood.
He stressed that Somaliland’s strategic location, particularly its access to the Gulf of Aden and proximity to Bab al-Mandab, gives it an opportunity to expand international partnerships while offering the international community a potential partner in security, economic development and trade.
As President Irro’s U.S. visit continues, Tima-jilic’s remarks reflect Somaliland’s broader effort to frame its recognition campaign not only around its political aspirations, but also around its strategic location, security interests and economic potential.