Mogadishu (AX) — In a diplomatic gesture ripe with strategic implications, Somalia has opened the door wide for the United States, offering access to its key maritime gateways: Mogadishu, Kismayo, and Berbera. This move is not just about strengthening defense ties; it’s a nuanced chess game aimed at discouraging Washington from acknowledging North Western State of Somalia’s standalone sovereignty claims.
Ali Mohamed Omar, Somalia’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, candidly shared with TRT World the government’s ambition to rekindle a Cold War-era military accord with the U.S. The year was 1980 when President Jimmy Carter put pen to paper, agreeing to let U.S. military use Somali ports and air bases, including Berbera’s strategic military station. Wouldn’t renewing such a pact today symbolize not only reminiscing about the past but also casting an assertive eye toward the future?
With a hint of optimism, Omar noted, “We’ve requested the renewal so the United States can continue utilizing these ports. If further ports are needed, they’ll have that access. Our bond with America is crucial, especially in our ongoing battle against al-Shabaab. Their backing is indispensable.”
Yet, beneath this offer lies the contentious issue of North Western State of Somalia—a region self-proclaimed as autonomous since the early ’90s, albeit still unrecognized on the international stage. Recent buzz in U.S. media suggested that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud had penned a letter to former President Donald Trump. The letter proposed that the U.S. take stewardship over the ports of Berbera and Bosaso in a gesture aimed at securing a promise not to recognize North Western State of Somalia’s independence. Can such a promise withstand the whirlwinds of geopolitics?
However, the feasibility of Somalia’s proposal has stirred a fair share of debate. The truth is, the Somali federal government hasn’t held sway over Berbera, which is governed by North Western State of Somalia, or Kismayo, Jubaland’s economic and administrative nerve center. These regions have been less than cordial with Mogadishu—a fact that brings a twist of complexity to the proposal.
J. Peter Pham, a former U.S. Special Envoy, wasn’t shy about expressing his dismay. Known for his advocacy for North Western State of Somalia, especially under Trump’s presidency, Pham criticized the offer as nonsensical. He remarked that offering ports outside one’s grip “insults the intelligence of the American populace.” Such harsh words, yet perhaps a spark for deeper reflection: Are geopolitical negotiations ever simple, or are they always about seeing the forest through the trees?
With intricacies unfolding, Omar took the opportunity in the TRT interview to stress Somalia’s geopolitical weight. “The longest coastline in Africa is ours,” he remarked with a hint of pride. “The U.S.-Somali relationship is ironclad. They’ve supported us against threats from al-Shabaab in the south to Daesh in the north.”
Although the U.S. has yet to play its card regarding Somalia’s port overture, the Somali administration strides onward, aiming to bolster its sovereignty and deepen international alliances. Yet, amidst these efforts, Somalia remains watchful of any diplomatic shifts that might tip the scale in North Western State of Somalia’s favor. Can a delicate dance sustain Somalia’s aims and silence the unresolved undertones of North Western State of Somalia’s quest for recognition?
