File Photo: Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi. AFP
The US is heading towards establishing a military base in Berbera, Somaliland, with the aim of monitoring the activities of Iran-backed rebels and safeguarding maritime traffic in the Red Sea. According to several assessments, the US also wants to flex its military muscles and secure a strategic foothold in the Red Sea and East Africa, given the long-term geopolitical gains such a move can bring.
This US interest has raised Somalia’s concerns, but since the Trump administration believes it is a necessary move, it is confident it can secure Somalia’s nod of agreement — however reluctant. A base in Somaliland will not be at the expense of efforts to train Somali forces or participate in operations against the extremist Al-Shabaab group after all. The US administration will also keep its distance from Horn of Africa conflicts over Red Sea access, be they between Ethiopia and Eritrea or Somalia.
A Berbera base is strategically important to the US, particularly in the light of Houthi efforts to disrupt maritime traffic in the Red Sea and rising Yemeni attacks on commercial vessels. The base will enable Washington to curb the Houthis’ threats to oil shipments and global trade in one of the world’s most vital waterways. Washington also wants to curb Chinese military expansion in East Africa, particularly amid advancing ties between Mogadishu and Beijing. The two capitals have enhanced their security cooperation and in late 2024 they elevated their relations to a strategic partnership. Western reports stated that Somalia discussed several cooperation agreements with China during the Somali foreign minister’s meeting with the Chinese Ambassador on 28 May.
These moves have fuelled a strategic rivalry between the US and its adversaries, especially China. As a result, Somaliland has emerged as a new arena for international rivalry, prompting Washington to heighten its interest in the area. The Berbera base will enable Washington to enhance its military presence in Africa, with special emphasis on increasing its naval might. The planned base will, in addition, bolster US presence in the Indian Ocean and control over the Bab Al-Mandab Strait, an essential global trade route of critical importance to US interests.
Somaliland is situated along a key maritime trade route linking Europe and Asia, with coastlines on the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the Gulf of Aden. Its economic geography plays a significant role in shaping US strategic interests. Its location offers access to the Bab Al-Mandab Strait, through which 12 per cent of global trade passes. More than 4.8 million barrels of crude oil and refined oil products transit the strait daily, along with other vital goods. Somaliland also serves as a gateway to emerging African markets.
There is a growing consensus in the US that Somaliland is highly important to its interests, chiefly among supporters of Donald Trump in the Republican Party, who are promoting the recognition of Somaliland’s independence. This movement is anchored in the 2025 Project document, drafted by 140 Republican members, which identifies Somaliland as a strategic priority and argues that recognising its independence is essential to safeguarding US interests. The document recommends that Washington see Somaliland as a viable alternative host for US presence in the region to enhance its military and intelligence capabilities to counter China, Iran and the Houthis.
Meanwhile, Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi said his country is willing to host a US military base in return for Washington’s recognition of the country. Abdullahi also expressed readiness to offer the US access to mineral resources — particularly strategic materials such as lithium — as part of Somaliland’s efforts to gain international recognition. Elevating US-Somaliland security cooperation will negatively affect US-Somalia relations, however, ultimately pushing Washington to downgrade its ties with Mogadishu. In addition, the planned base will destabilise Somalia’s security, giving armed groups, particularly Al-Shabaab, more room to implement their agenda and increase pressure on the Somali government.
The US move may prompt Somalia to strengthen its ties with China, especially as Beijing has recently shown growing interest in supporting Somalia’s efforts to counter regional adversaries. This was evident in Beijing’s opposition to the memorandum of understanding signed between Addis Ababa and Somaliland in January 2024, which laid the groundwork for the construction of a military base and port development on the Red Sea. China regards Somaliland as part of Somalia and supports the Somali government’s efforts to preserve national unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 7 August, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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