Former U.S. President Donald Trump has played down Israel’s reported decision to recognize Somaliland, saying the United States is not prepared to follow suit and questioning the territory’s international relevance.
In comments to the New York Post, Trump initially rejected the idea of U.S. recognition outright before softening his stance to say the issue is still being reviewed. “Does anyone know what Somaliland is, really?” he said, brushing aside the significance of Israel’s move and describing the matter as “under study.”
The remarks come as Somaliland receives renewed diplomatic attention following reports that Israel has extended recognition to the self-declared republic. Somaliland has functioned as a de facto state since 1991, with its own government, security institutions, and a record of regular elections, but it remains unrecognized by the international community and is still considered part of Somalia under international law.
When asked about reports that Somaliland has offered to host a U.S. military port, Trump responded dismissively, calling it a “big deal” while emphasizing that no decisions had been made. “Everything is under study,” he said, noting that he reviews multiple issues before reaching any conclusions.
Trump’s comments have resonated across the Horn of Africa, where Somaliland’s leadership has long argued that the territory meets the legal and political criteria for statehood. Advocates of recognition cite its relative stability compared to southern Somalia, as well as its strategic location along key maritime routes near the Bab el-Mandeb strait.
Israel’s reported recognition had fueled optimism in Hargeisa that other countries, particularly Western allies, might follow. However, Trump’s remarks suggest Washington is in no hurry to change course, underscoring the cautious stance major powers continue to take on Somaliland.
For now, Somaliland’s quest for international recognition remains uncertain, shaped by shifting geopolitical interests, regional sensitivities, and the reluctance of global actors to depart from long-established diplomatic norms in the Horn of Africa.
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