Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Cirro has faced criticism following an interview in Washington, after his responses regarding minerals, the war in Sudan, and Somaliland’s bid for recognition sparked debate and reactions.
The interview took place on September 14, during Cirro’s visit to the United States as Somaliland intensifies its diplomatic campaign for international recognition, particularly from Washington. The Hudson Institute described the event as a discussion focusing on Somaliland’s role in the Horn of Africa and its strategic importance.
One of the most discussed moments came when Cirro was asked about the critical minerals that Somaliland could potentially offer to the United States. Cirro laughed and acknowledged that he was not a geologist. When asked what minerals were available, he responded, “I don’t know… maybe everything.”
The response attracted attention because Cirro has previously highlighted Somaliland’s natural resources when discussing potential relations with the United States.
In a separate interview with Semafor, Cirro said Somaliland could offer access to ports, mineral resources and the possibility of negotiations over military access or facilities. In return, he said Somaliland was seeking closer relations and recognition from Washington. Semafor also reported that Cirro emphasized that “nothing is free.”
Cirro had previously made similar claims about Somaliland’s natural resources. In February, he told Reuters that Somaliland has deposits of minerals, oil and gas, including claims concerning lithium resources.
Another exchange during the Hudson Institute interview involved the ongoing war in Sudan. When asked about the conflict, Cirro described Sudan as being very far from Somaliland and compared the distance to Venezuela.
The interviewer challenged that characterization, pointing out that Sudan is not that far away from Somaliland, before moving to another question.
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The war in Sudan began in April 2023 after fighting erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The conflict has developed into a major regional crisis, with neighboring and regional powers accused of supporting different sides. The United Arab Emirates, in particular, has faced allegations of supporting the RSF, although Abu Dhabi has repeatedly denied the accusations.
Cameron Hudson, a former U.S. government official who focuses on African affairs, also criticized Cirro’s performance during the Washington event. In a post on X, Hudson argued that Cirro struggled to communicate the message he had brought to Washington.
Hudson additionally used the phrase “African Biden” in describing Cirro’s performance, drawing a comparison to former U.S. President Joe Biden and the difficulties he faced in some public appearances toward the end of his presidency.
Another major issue raised during the interview was Somaliland’s argument for U.S. recognition. Asked why Washington should recognize Somaliland, Cirro said, “Practically, Somaliland is not part of Somalia,” before adding, “In principle, Somaliland is part of Somalia.”
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991, but Somalia’s federal government continues to regard Somaliland as part of the country. The African Union and numerous governments also continue to recognize Somalia’s territorial integrity.
Israel formally recognized Somaliland on December 26, 2025, becoming the first UN member state to do so. Somalia strongly condemned the move, describing it as a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Since then, Somaliland has intensified its diplomatic efforts to secure recognition from additional countries, with the United States viewed by Somaliland officials as a particularly important target.
About the Author
Bashir Guhad is a reporter at Somali Report covering politics, security, business, and trade across the Somali region.
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