President Abdirahman Irro Urges Washington to Recognise Somaliland, Citing Strategic Ports, Counterterrorism Cooperation and Opportunities for Economic Partnership
Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, widely known as Irro, has urged US President Donald Trump to formally recognise the Republic of Somaliland, describing him as a “great man” who could “make more history” by acknowledging the country’s independence.
In an exclusive interview with Breitbart News on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York in late September, Irro said recognition would open the way for closer cooperation between Somaliland and the United States on counterterrorism, maritime security, combating piracy and protecting international trade routes.
“Well, I think President Trump is a great man,” Irro told Breitbart News. “He made history, and he could make more history by recognising a new country called Somaliland, which will cooperate unconditionally in the fight against terrorism, in the fight against piracy, in the fight for marine security, and safer world trade routes as well, in a strategic, very important location.”
Somaliland reclaimed its independence in 1991 after the collapse of the Somali state and has since maintained its own government and security institutions. Israel formally recognised Somaliland in late 2025, marking a significant development in its pursuit of international recognition.
Irro described Israel’s decision as a turning point that had brought Somaliland to greater international attention.
“I think I can say that the recognition by Israel of Somaliland was the icebreaker,” he said. “Now Somaliland is visible to the whole world.”
Berbera Port Offers Strategic Opportunities
The president highlighted the growing strategic importance of Berbera, Somaliland’s principal port on the Gulf of Aden, arguing that its location and capacity make it increasingly valuable to international shipping companies and global trade.
“Berbera, as I said, has a very strategic location, and now, because of the certain conditions in the world which now exist regarding the war, even some of the world’s largest shipping companies now use Berbera to bring their goods, and later they ship again to their destinations because of security reasons,” Irro said.
He added that demand for the port was increasing and that Berbera could accommodate large container shipments.
Irro also presented Somaliland as a potential logistics and trade hub connecting international markets with landlocked Ethiopia, which he said has a population of approximately 130 million, as well as other countries across East and Central Africa.
“No doubt I see a great future cooperation of the United States and Somaliland,” he said, adding that Somaliland could become “a very great logistical hub in the whole world.”
The president said Somaliland’s strategic value had increased amid regional instability, particularly tensions involving Yemen’s Houthi movement and Iran’s position around the Strait of Hormuz.
Located approximately 100 kilometres from Yemen, Somaliland occupies a strategic position along important international maritime routes linking the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and the wider Indian Ocean.
“For 35 years we have been single-handedly securing our waters, which is very important for the world global trade,” Irro said.
He argued that Somaliland’s location, geography and security capabilities made it an increasingly important partner in efforts to protect international shipping and maintain maritime stability.
Productive US Visit Focused on Cooperation
Reflecting on his visit to the United States, Irro described his meetings in Washington and New York as productive, citing discussions with members of Congress, senators, US administration officials and policy institutions.
“We had a very cordial, friendly reception in the United States,” he said.
The president said his delegation met officials from the US State Department, Department of War, Department of Energy and Department of the Treasury, alongside representatives of prominent Washington-based institutions and other organisations.
He also delivered a speech at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York.
Although the visit had not resulted in formal US recognition, Irro said he was satisfied with the level of engagement and remained hopeful that relations would progress.
“Well, we are actually satisfied with the level of engagement we had in the United States now,” he said. “We didn’t get the recognition now on the table, but hopefully things will move forward, and we make great progress.”
Irro expressed confidence that cooperation between Somaliland and the United States would deepen in the coming years, particularly in security, trade, investment and counterterrorism.
He said Somaliland was already discussing closer counterterrorism cooperation with Washington and was prepared to expand its partnership with the United States.
“We’re ready to partner with the United States,” he said, highlighting opportunities in economic development, trade, security and national security.
Irro Backs Trump for Nobel Peace Prize
During the interview, Irro also expressed support for Trump receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, citing his efforts to resolve international conflicts.
The Somaliland president said he believed he was the first African leader to publicly nominate Trump for the award, pointing to the US president’s efforts to address conflicts around the world.
“I may be on the record that I am the first African leader to refer the president for a Nobel Peace Prize, because so far for the short time he has been in office, he has resolved many conflicts in the world,” Irro told Breitbart News.
He specifically referred to the conflict involving the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, which he described as one of the world’s longest-running wars.
Irro presented closer ties with Washington as an opportunity for both sides to advance shared security and economic interests, particularly as international attention increasingly focuses on Africa’s strategic position and resources.
Africa’s Economic Potential
The president also stressed Africa’s growing economic importance, pointing to opportunities in minerals, energy, agriculture and industry.
“Economically, $400 billion are now in Africa,” Irro said. “So Africa is important for the United States, for Europe, and for great economic powers because Africa now has the highest resources in the whole world in minerals, in energy, in agriculture, in industry, so Africa now is the future.”
He argued that Somaliland could help international partners access African markets by serving as a trade corridor and logistics centre, particularly for landlocked countries in the Horn of Africa.
According to Irro, the combination of Somaliland’s geographical position, maritime infrastructure and security experience creates opportunities for mutually beneficial partnerships with major economic powers.
He said closer US–Somaliland relations could extend beyond security cooperation to encompass investment, commercial exchanges and broader economic development.
Somaliland Offers 2,000 Peacekeepers for Gaza
In another significant statement, Irro said Somaliland was prepared to contribute 2,000 peacekeeping personnel to efforts relating to Gaza under a proposed Board of Peace initiative associated with US President Donald Trump’s administration.
“I think I have been questioned by one reporter about what we can do in Gaza,” Irro told Breitbart News. “I told them we can provide 2,000 peacekeepers in Gaza. Yes, we are ready for that.”
The offer formed part of his broader argument that Somaliland could contribute to international security efforts and establish itself as a dependable partner for the United States.
Irro emphasised that Somaliland was seeking opportunities to contribute to international peace and security rather than relying on external assistance.
“Somaliland Is Not for Aid; It Is for Partnership”
Concluding his message to the American public, Irro called for greater awareness of Somaliland as a peaceful, democratic and strategically located country with significant potential for international cooperation.
“For those who read, my message is that there is an existence of a very democratic, peaceful country called Somaliland, very strategically located,” he said.
He reiterated that Trump had an opportunity to make history by recognising Somaliland and establishing a stronger relationship with a partner he described as committed to counterterrorism, maritime security and the protection of international trade.
“My last message is that we — as a Somalilander — we didn’t come here for a list of requests or aid,” Irro said. “We came with partnership. Somaliland is not for aid; it is not for handouts. Somaliland needs partnership in trade, in security, and economic cooperation.”
He concluded by expressing confidence that Somaliland could contribute to American economic and strategic objectives.
“I think Somaliland can be part and parcel of making America great.”