US President Donald Trump has described Somaliland as a country completely different from Somalia, prompting a welcome from Somaliland's presidency as the territory continues its campaign for international recognition.
WASHINGTON (Somali Report) — US President Donald Trump has said Somaliland is a country completely different from Somalia, seeking to clarify that his remarks about Somalis and what he described as problems they were causing in the United States were not directed at Somaliland.
Trump referred to “Somalia-land” in his comments, stressing that he did not mean Somaliland, which he described as a separate country. He acknowledged that some people might confuse the two because of their similar names, but insisted they should be distinguished.
“I call it Somalia-land, not Somaliland, because Somaliland is a completely different country. Some people like Somaliland, so I don't mean that. Somaliland and Somalia have nothing to do with each other. I think it would be good if Somaliland changed its name soon,” Trump said.
His remarks drew a positive response from Somaliland's presidency, which welcomed the comments as reinforcing the territory's distinct identity and separate political reality from Somalia.
In a statement, the Somaliland presidency said Trump's remarks underscored what it considers Somaliland's separate status and its long-running campaign for international recognition.
“The Republic of Somaliland remains committed to pursuing international recognition through principled diplomacy and constructive engagement with the international community,” the statement said.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 following the collapse of the central government. It has since maintained its own administration, security forces and political institutions, but has not secured broad international recognition as an independent state. Somalia continues to regard Somaliland as part of its territory.
The question of Somaliland's status remains a sensitive issue in the Horn of Africa, with implications for regional diplomacy, security and relations between Mogadishu and Hargeisa.
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Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, widely known as Cirro, recently travelled to the United States as part of a diplomatic campaign seeking international recognition for the territory.
During his visit to Washington, DC, and other locations, Cirro held meetings with US officials and politicians to discuss relations between Somaliland and the United States and explore ways to strengthen support for its recognition bid.
Cirro has also urged Trump to formally recognise Somaliland, arguing that such a move would open a new chapter in the US president's legacy. He made the appeal in an interview with Breitbart News published on Monday.
Somaliland has sought international recognition for decades, citing its distinct political institutions and its former status as the British Somaliland protectorate before briefly gaining independence in 1960 and uniting with the former Italian-administered territory that became Somalia.
Trump's comments could be welcomed by Somaliland officials as a sign of greater visibility for their campaign, although his remarks did not amount to a formal US recognition of Somaliland's independence.
The US administration has not announced a change in Washington's official position on Somaliland's status. Any formal recognition would mark a significant shift in US policy and could have wider diplomatic consequences across the Horn of Africa.
About the Author
Ahmed Omar is a senior journalist for Somali Report, based in Mogadishu. He has two decades of experience reporting on Somalia for international and local media. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments and regional affairs.
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