No Foreign Access Without Recognition — Berbera Is Somaliland’s Leverage

No Foreign Access Without Recognition — Berbera Is Somaliland’s Leverage.

As the Horn of Africa shifts under the weight of geopolitical competition, Somaliland finds itself once again at the center of strategic interest—this time from the world’s most powerful state. The recent visit by the U.S. Ambassador to Somalia, Richard Riley, and his full embassy team to Hargeisa was not an ordinary diplomatic courtesy. It was a signal. A sign that Washington is re-evaluating the rigid “One Somalia” doctrine that has long denied Somaliland its rightful place among nations.

With the U.S. openly reconsidering its policy and eyeing Berbera Port for future cooperation, Somaliland has an opportunity. But not all opportunities come without risk. And not all partnerships protect sovereignty.

Berbera is a valuable geopolitical asset. That is not in question. Its location on the Red Sea trade artery, its deepwater capacity, and its proximity to Ethiopia make it one of the most attractive logistics hubs on the African continent. But Somaliland must not confuse strategic value with political validation. Allowing foreign military or logistical access to Berbera without a clear path to formal recognition is a historic mistake in the making. If Somaliland opens its ports and airspace in exchange for vague promises or informal cooperation, it will be giving away its greatest bargaining chip—sovereignty by leverage—without gaining the legal status and international protections it has fought for over three decades to achieve.

The Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) in Iraq provides a cautionary tale. The U.S. and its allies have worked with the Kurds for years, offering weapons, training, and diplomatic engagement. But when the KRG held a peaceful referendum for independence in 2017, Washington turned its back, calling the vote “illegitimate” and siding with Baghdad. Despite decades of loyalty and strategic cooperation, the Kurds remained stateless partners—useful but unrecognized. Somaliland must not walk the same path.

As new diplomatic doors open, Somaliland’s leaders—both in government and opposition—must speak with one voice. No foreign military access or base rights should be negotiated unless they are tied to a formal recognition framework. Agreements must be made government-to-government—not via Mogadishu. The United States should be required to open a permanent diplomatic office in Hargeisa and refer to Somaliland as a distinct self-governing authority. Most importantly, any such agreements must go through parliamentary oversight and public scrutiny. Somaliland’s sovereignty is not a legacy project; it is a national trust.

What many observers also overlook is that Berbera is not just a port or an airfield. It is a rare terrestrial asset with future strategic value in the era of space and satellite infrastructure. Located near the equator, with low light pollution and expansive open atmosphere, Berbera holds immense potential for ground-based satellite operations—such as Earth observation downlinks, space telemetry, and data relay stations for low-Earth orbit networks. As space becomes the next frontier of geopolitical competition, Berbera’s relevance extends from the Red Sea to orbital highways. Somaliland must ensure that this asset is never surrendered without sovereign authority to govern its use, regulate its access, and share in its value.

The world may be shifting toward Somaliland, but the path to recognition must remain firm. Somaliland must never allow Berbera to become a transactional outpost for foreign powers while its people remain politically invisible. Partnership is welcome. Engagement is encouraged. But everything must be built on one foundational truth: Somaliland is not a region seeking autonomy. It is a nation reclaiming its rightful status among states.

Let Berbera be a symbol of strategic strength—not a shortcut to dependency. Let Somaliland’s negotiators remember: we control the gate, we define the terms, and our sovereignty is not for sale.

God protect Somaliland and guide its leaders with wisdom and courage.