Hargeisa, Somaliland, Somaliland has announced it is willing to grant the United States access to its mineral resources and military bases as part of its ongoing push for international recognition. The self-declared region, which has operated autonomously since 1991, remains unrecognized by most countries and is still considered part of Somalia.
Officials say Somaliland possesses valuable minerals such as lithium and coltan, essential for electronics and green technologies. In addition to resource access, the territory’s strategic location along the Gulf of Aden makes it geopolitically significant for global powers, including the U.S., which already maintains a military presence in nearby Djibouti.
While Somaliland expresses confidence in negotiations with the United States, Washington has not indicated any change in its stance on recognition. Somalia’s federal government continues to oppose international deals that bypass its sovereignty, highlighting the delicate balance of diplomacy in the region.