In a move that has ignited fierce diplomatic debate, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz has called on President Donald Trump to formally recognize the Republic of Somaliland as an independent state, thrusting the long-unrecognized territory into the center of a global contest for influence in the Horn of Africa. The senator’s campaign, which has drawn sharp condemnation from China and Somalia, highlights the growing geopolitical rivalry between Washington and Beijing and raises fundamental questions about sovereignty, stability, and the future of African borders.
Senator Cruz, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy, made his appeal clear in an August 14, 2025 letter to the White House. He described Somaliland as “a critical security and diplomatic partner for the United States, helping America advance our national security interests in the Horn of Africa and beyond.” According to reporting from multiple outlets, Cruz emphasized Somaliland’s location along the Gulf of Aden, a crucial maritime corridor handling 15% of global trade, and its proximity to the Red Sea, where Houthi attacks threaten international shipping.
“It possesses capable armed forces, contributes to counterterrorism and anti-piracy operations, and has even enabled the opening of a Taiwanese Representative Office in its capital, Hargeisa,” Cruz wrote, as cited by Houston Public Media. His letter frames Somaliland as a linchpin in U.S. efforts to counter Chinese expansionism and secure vital trade and military interests in the region.
The senator’s push challenges decades of U.S. policy, which has consistently recognized Somalia’s territorial integrity. Since declaring independence in 1991, Somaliland has maintained de facto autonomy, building stable institutions, holding seven peaceful elections—including a May 2024 presidential vote with 70% turnout and iris-scan verification—and developing a reputation for security and democracy that stands in stark contrast to Somalia, where al-Shabaab militants still control significant territory.
Somaliland’s foreign minister, Abdirahman Dahir Adam, welcomed Cruz’s efforts, stating on social media, “Heartfelt thanks to @SenTedCruz for his unwavering support for our recognition and for championing our cause to President Trump.” He added that the senator’s appeal reflects “a deep appreciation of what we contribute to the U.S. and the world.”
But the diplomatic ripples were immediate—and intense. On August 16, 2025, the Chinese Embassy in Somalia issued a strongly worded statement condemning Cruz’s letter. The embassy called the senator’s remarks “baseless attacks against China and China-Somalia relations,” and described them as “serious interference in the internal affairs of Somalia” and evidence of a “hegemonic and bullying attitude of certain US politicians to the Somali people.”
China’s reaction is rooted in its One-China Policy, which asserts that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. Somalia has long backed this stance, and in return, Beijing has supported Mogadishu’s claim over Somaliland—sometimes called the One-Somalia Policy. The Chinese statement drew a direct parallel: “Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. This is the history and the reality. China firmly opposes ‘Taiwan independence’ separatism and external interference, and possesses the legitimate right to take measures to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
For Beijing, standing by Somalia is about more than African alliances; it’s about setting a precedent that could affect its own struggle over Taiwan’s international standing. As the embassy put it, “Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs are enshrined in the UN Charter, as basic norms governing international relations for safeguarding world peace and stability. China never interferes in other countries’ internal affairs and does not accept meddling in its internal affairs by any country.”
Senator Cruz’s letter also highlighted China’s efforts to punish Somaliland for its ties with Taiwan. Since Somaliland allowed Taiwan to open a representative office in Hargeisa in 2020, China has allegedly pressured Somalia to block Taiwanese travelers, with a notable incident in April 2025 when Somali authorities, reportedly at Beijing’s urging, barred Taiwanese passport holders from transiting to Somaliland. Cruz accused China of using “economic and diplomatic coercion” to isolate the territory.
From the U.S. perspective, Somaliland offers more than just a diplomatic chess piece. The port of Berbera is seen as a vital alternative to Djibouti—home to America’s Camp Lemonnier base but also a neighboring Chinese military outpost. Pentagon officials have explored establishing a U.S. presence at Berbera, while Somaliland has dangled access to rare earth minerals like lithium and coltan, critical for electronics amid global shortages. According to The Wall Street Journal, these resources and the territory’s stability make it an attractive partner for Washington.
Momentum for recognition appears to be building on Capitol Hill. The House Appropriations Committee recently mandated a State Department report on expanded ties with Somaliland within 120 days, and Representative Scott Perry’s recognition bill has gained support among Republicans. AFRICOM commander General Dagvin Anderson testified that engagement with Somaliland serves U.S. interests, and President Trump has confirmed his administration is “looking into” potential policy shifts.
Somaliland’s case for statehood is bolstered by its functional government, defined territory, and capacity for international relations—criteria set out in the Montevideo Convention. Its economy is buoyed by $1.3 billion in annual remittances and livestock exports that supply 60% of Gulf states’ sheep and goats. The Berbera port handles millions of tons of cargo, and Somaliland’s security forces have helped reduce Gulf of Aden piracy from over 200 incidents a year to almost none.
Yet, despite these accomplishments, no country recognizes Somaliland. The African Union remains wary of encouraging secessionist movements by changing colonial-era borders, and Somalia has recently strengthened ties with Türkiye to counter Somaliland’s diplomatic overtures.
The recognition debate is further complicated by reports that Somaliland is open to hosting Palestinians from Gaza as part of a voluntary resettlement plan. According to Channel 12 and The Wall Street Journal, Israel is in talks with Somaliland and several other countries about taking in Palestinians who wish to emigrate, a move that some Somaliland officials see as a path to international legitimacy. President Trump’s administration and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have both expressed support for creative solutions to the Gaza crisis, with Trump’s spokeswoman Anna Kelly stating, “President Trump has long advocated for creative solutions to improve the lives of Palestinians, including allowing them to resettle in a new, beautiful location while Gaza rebuilds.”
As the diplomatic maneuvering continues, the fate of Somaliland hangs in the balance. Its leaders hope that decades of stability, democracy, and partnership with the West will finally be rewarded with the recognition they have long sought. For now, the territory remains a flashpoint in the wider struggle for influence and principle in Africa—a place where the world’s great powers test the boundaries of sovereignty, self-determination, and the rules of the international order.
The coming months may prove decisive, as Washington weighs whether to reward Somaliland’s resilience or uphold the status quo. The outcome could reshape the Horn of Africa—and reverberate far beyond its shores.
