Somaliland–United States relations

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Somaliland–United States relations
Map indicating locations of Somaliland and United States

Somaliland
United States

Somaliland and the United States do not have official diplomatic relations. While Somaliland operates a representative liaison office in Washington, D.C., it does not have formal diplomatic status under the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.[1] Both countries do maintain contact as delegations from both sides have met in the past.

History[]

The U.S. policy regarding Somaliland is to first allow the African Union to deliberate the question regarding the status of Somaliland as an independent nation. The United States engages Somaliland on policy matters such as democratization and economic development. In 2007, the United States provided one million dollars in aid through the International Republican Institute to support training for parliamentarians and other key programs in preparations for the 2010 presidential election. The U.S. expected to provide an additional one point five million in continued support for the democratization process in Somaliland following the elections.[2]

From March 20 to March 28, 2010, a delegation of Somaliland senior ministers and parliamentarians visited the United States on an invitation from the U.S. The delegation met with senior officials of the National Security Council in the Executive Building of the White House. The delegation had multiple discussions with the leadership of the State Department’s Africa Bureau including the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African affairs, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Africa. The meetings were also attended by senior officials from the U.S. Department of Defense and other relevant U.S. government bureaus and agencies. Both nations explored Somaliland’s political status in light of the Djibouti Peace Process. Discussions revolved around religious extremism, terrorism, piracy, and the lack of adequate social and economic development. The U.S. side pledged its support and agreed to the creation of a joint follow-up group to monitor progress made. The delegation also had discussions with US-based private and non-profit organizations and multilateral donors such as USAID and the World Bank. The delegation emphasized areas that have the greatest impact on people’s daily existence, such as clean potable water, improved agriculture, health, education, and rural development. The delegation concluded its visit meeting with the Somaliland community in Washington D.C.[3]

On September 24, 2010, Johnnie Carson, the then-Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, stated that the United States would be modifying its strategy in Somalia and would seek deeper engagement with the governments of Somaliland and Puntland while continuing to support the Somali Transitional Government.[4] Carson said the U.S. would send aid workers and diplomats to Puntland and Somaliland and alluded to the possibility of future development projects. However, Carson emphasized that the U.S. would not extend formal recognition to either region.[5]

In June 2014, Somaliland and the USAID inaugurated a new wind energy project at Hargeisa Airport. The new wind power facility is under the authority of the Somaliland Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, which will manage it through a public-private partnership and oversee its daily operations. The initiative is part of the larger Partnership for Economic Growth, a bilateral program that has invested over fourteen million dollars in Somaliland's energy, livestock and agriculture sectors as well as in private sector development. The partnership aims, in particular, to establish local renewable energy technologies, with the new wind energy facility expected to offer a more cost-effective alternative to diesel fuel. It is also slated to provide power to both the Hargeisa airport and the surrounding communities.[6] The investment in building the airport came as a result of the USAID investing nearly fifty million dollars in Somaliland since 2010 in areas such as community stabilization, governance, education, health, and economic growth.

In August 2020, the United States praised Somaliland and Taiwan for formalizing relations. In a tweet from the National Security council's archived Twitter account from the then-Trump administration, it stated, "Great to see #Taiwan stepping up its engagement in East #Africa in a time of such tremendous need. #Taiwan is a great partner in health, education, technical assistance, and more!"[7]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ THE CONTACTS AND ADDRESSES OF THE SOMALILAND REPRESENTATIVE OFFICES AROUND THE WORLD at the Wayback Machine (archived March 27, 2010)
  2. ^ United States Policy on Somaliland at the Wayback Machine (archived December 11, 2007)
  3. ^ Press Release: The Republic of Somaliland Liaison Office Washington DC at the Wayback Machine (archived April 4, 2013)
  4. ^ Ibrahim, Mohamed; Gettleman, Jeffrey (September 26, 2010). "Helicopter Attacks Militant Meeting in Somalia". The New York Times. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  5. ^ "afrol News – US near de-facto recognition of Somaliland". September 27, 2010. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  6. ^ "SOMALIA: U.S donates Wind Energy Project to power Hargeisa International Airport". Raxanreeb. June 8, 2017. Archived from the original on June 8, 2017. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  7. ^ "Great to see #Taiwan stepping up its engagement in East #Africa in a time of such tremendous need. #Taiwan is a great partner in health, education, technical assistance, and more!". NSC 45 Archived. July 9, 2020. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
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