Having broken its diplomatic isolation thanks to Israel at the end of 2025, Somaliland is launching an aggressive charm offensive towards the United States. To obtain recognition of its independence, the self-proclaimed republic is playing its two best cards: its strategic natural resources and its crucial geographical location .

An offer of "exclusive partnership"

Hargeisa's message is clear: Somaliland is for sale, or at least to be shared with the right allies. On Saturday, February 21, Khadar Hussein Abdi, the president's minister, told AFP that the country was ready to grant the United States exclusive mining rights as well as the establishment of military bases .

The subsoil of the territory contains critical metals essential to modern technologies:

1. Lithium
2. Tantalum
3. Niobium
4. Coltan

Although the exact reservations remain to be confirmed, the argument carries significant weight against a Trump administration that favors pragmatic diplomacy focused on securing American supply chains.

The domino effect after Israel

Israel's recognition of Somaliland in December 2025 acted as a catalyst. While this decision provoked fury in neighboring Somalia, it paved the way for a new era for President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (known as "Irro").

A strategic partnership between Hargeisa and Tel Aviv is expected to be signed soon, possibly including the establishment of an Israeli military base. For Israel, the issue is security: positioning itself vis-à-vis Yemen and the Houthi rebels. For Somaliland, it's proof of viability that it hopes Washington will replicate.

A strategic stronghold on the Red Sea

The United States' interest in the region is not new. Already present in Djibouti, they see Somaliland as an ideal observation post on the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, a true crossroads of world trade.

Stake	Somaliland's Advantage
Geopolitics	Alternative or complement to the Djibouti base.
Security	Control of maritime routes in the face of the threat from the Houthis and the Shebabs.
Economy	Direct access to minerals critical for the tech and defense industry.

Between White House hesitation and Mogadishu's anger

Despite lobbying from some Republican senators like Ted Cruz, Donald Trump remains cautious for now, publicly questioning the country's true notoriety.

For its part, the Mogadishu government, supported by Turkey and a large part of the Muslim world, denounces a drift towards secession. This criticism is dismissed by Khadar Hussein Abdi, who describes the Somali capital as a failed state.

"Mogadishu is not a functioning state... focusing on them does not help the security of the region."

Somaliland is betting that the American appetite for natural resources will eventually prevail over traditional diplomatic caution.