A letter from US Senator Ted Cruz urging President Donald Trump to formally recognize Somaliland’s independence has drawn sharp responses from Somalia and China, underscoring the growing geopolitical contest in the Horn of Africa.
Senator Cruz’s Proposal
In his letter dated August 14, Cruz described Somaliland as a “critical security and diplomatic partner” for the United States, highlighting its role in counterterrorism, military cooperation, and economic engagement. He argued that recognizing Somaliland would strengthen US strategic interests in the Horn of Africa and beyond.
Somali Government Response
Somalia’s leadership firmly rejected the proposal, stressing that the country’s unity and territorial integrity remain non-negotiable.
“Somalia is a steadfast security partner of the United States. We are working closely with President Trump and the American military to fight the scourge of both ISIS and Al-Shabaab, with more than twenty successful joint strikes conducted in 2025 alone,” Somali officials said in a statement.
They warned that “any policy that weakens Somali sovereignty would only embolden extremists and threaten the stability of the entire Horn of Africa.”
Chinese Embassy’s Position
The Chinese Embassy in Somalia also condemned Cruz’s remarks, accusing the senator of spreading “baseless attacks” against China and misrepresenting China-Somalia relations.
“This coercive letter constitutes serious interference in the internal affairs of Somalia and further exposes the hegemonic and bullying attitude of certain US politicians,” a Chinese spokesperson said.
The statement reaffirmed China’s position that Taiwan is “an inalienable part of China’s territory” and stressed that Beijing opposes separatism in any form, including Somaliland’s unilateral declaration of independence.
Strategic Context
The debate comes as Washington weighs its security posture in the region, including possible access to Somaliland’s Berbera port on the Gulf of Aden. Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but remains unrecognized internationally, has actively sought closer ties with both the US and Taiwan.
China, meanwhile, views such moves as part of a broader competition for influence in the Horn of Africa, where it already maintains a major military base in neighboring Djibouti.
What’s Next
While the proposal has gained support from some US lawmakers, recognition would mark a dramatic shift in long-standing US policy, which officially backs Somalia’s territorial integrity. For now, the issue has sparked new diplomatic friction among Washington, Mogadishu, and Beijing — adding another layer of complexity to the region’s already fragile security landscape.