President Donald Trump drew praise from the government of Somaliland after he said during a rally in Youngstown, Ohio, that Somaliland was “a totally different country” from Somalia.
Somaliland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation issued a press release welcoming the remarks, saying they affirm what it calls a longstanding reality about the territory’s status.
“The Government of the Republic of Somaliland warmly welcomes US President Donald J. Trump’s acknowledgement of the Republic of Somaliland as a distinct country,” the ministry said. “His remarks affirm a longstanding reality: the Republic of Somaliland has its own internationally defined border, inherited at independence and consistent with the African Union’s principle of respect for borders existing at independence.”
The ministry added that Somaliland “has its own constitution, democratically elected government and foreign relations, and has governed itself for more than three decades,” and said the government remains “committed to peaceful relations with its neighbours and to resolving differences through respectful dialogue.”
In its statement, the ministry also thanked Trump directly, saying it “expresses its gratitude to President Trump for acknowledging the reality of the Republic of Somaliland as a sovereign, independent country.” The statement noted that this comes alongside Somaliland’s formal recognition by Israel and its established partnership with Taiwan, and said the government “looks forward to working with President Trump’s Administration to deepen constructive engagement between the two sides.”
Video footage shared on X showed the U.S. flag displayed on a building in Hargeisa, Somaliland’s capital, following Trump’s comments.
Somaliland’s Own President Weighs In
Trump’s remarks followed an earlier interview in which Somaliland President Abdiraham Mohamed Abdullahi spoke exclusively to Breitbart News and called Trump a “great man” who could expand his legacy by recognizing Somaliland as an independent nation.
“Well, I think President Trump is a great man,” Abdullahi said. “He made history, and he could make more history by recognizing 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.”
Congressional Reaction
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) responded to Trump’s comments on social media, arguing that the United States should move to formally recognize Somaliland.
“President Trump is exactly right,” Cruz wrote on X. “Somaliland is not Somalia. Well past time for the United States to formally recognize it.”
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but has not received formal diplomatic recognition as a sovereign nation from the United States or most of the international community.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login