Elon Musk’s satellite internet service, Starlink, is now operational across Somalia after receiving an official license from the National Communications Authority (NCA) in April 2025.
The breakthrough followed 2.5 years of negotiations with Somalia’s Ministry of Telecommunications.
In a characteristically brief announcement on X, Musk declared, “Starlink is now available in Somalia!”
Starlink’s high-speed, low-latency internet is now available in Somalia! 🛰️🇸🇴❤️ → https://t.co/p3hggHnGcg pic.twitter.com/BMNIuUTnQ7
— Starlink (@Starlink) August 5, 2025
Somali officials celebrated the move as transformative for a country where only 30% of the population has reliable internet access. Mustafa Yassin, Somalia’s Director of Communications, emphasized Starlink’s potential to “increase internet quality and reach remote areas.”
Service Details:
– Hardware Cost: $390 USD
– Monthly Subscription: $70 USD
– Coverage: Available in major cities (Mogadishu, Bosaso, Kismayo) and rural regions via low-Earth orbit satellites.
The Crisis: Somaliland’s Sovereignty Challenge
The rollout sparked immediate backlash from Somaliland, which has governed its territory independently since 1991 but lacks UN recognition. Somaliland officials condemned Starlink’s coverage map depicting Somalia as a unified state, arguing it erases their de jure sovereignty.
A senior Somaliland official anonymously warned, saying, “Starlink must operate physically in areas under our control. They cannot conduct business without our consent.”
Publicly, Somaliland’s politician, Abdiweli Mohamed Jama, demanded a separate deal, stating, “Pursue a separate deal with Somaliland authorities and avoid using inaccurate maps.”
Despite the backlash, Starlink has yet to respond publicly or confirm whether discussions with Somaliland are underway.
The dispute triggered Somaliland’s withdrawal from diplomatic talks with Somalia—escalating decades-old tensions.
Geopolitical Flashpoints
Somalia’s Strategic Gambit:
Analysts note the timing aligns with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s renewed assertions that “Somaliland is part of Somalia.” Licensing Starlink is seen as reinforcing Mogadishu’s territorial claims.
Somaliland’s Leverage:
With functional institutions, a central bank, and border control, Somaliland insists that foreign entities like Starlink require separate agreements to operate in its territory.
Table: Competing Claims Over Starlink’s Legitimacy
| Somalia’s Position | Somaliland’s Position |
| “Starlink license valid nationwide” | “No service legal without our consent” |
| Uses unified Somalia map | Demands distinct territorial recognition |
| Aims to boost federal authority | Views inclusion as “annexation” |
Broader Implications: Sovereignty in the Satellite Age
Experts warn that the conflict exposes how tech deployments intersect with unresolved sovereignty disputes:
– Mohamed Elmi Afrah (Political Analyst): “Starlink’s license endorses the Somali government, complicating regional stability,” he noted.
– Omar Mahmood (International Crisis Group) said, “Somalia would perceive external recognition of Somaliland as a sovereignty violation.”
Security concerns also loom: Al-Shabaab controls swaths of rural Somalia and views internet access as a “security threat.”
Affordability and Equity Gaps
While Starlink promises speeds of 50–150 Mbps, its cost remains prohibitive in Somalia, where the average annual income is under $500. Critics fear it could deepen digital divides:
- Urban elites and NGOs benefit while the rural poor remain disconnected.
- Local telecom providers like Hormuud risk being sidelined.
Starlink’s African Footprint Expands
Somalia marks Starlink’s 19th African market, following recent launches in Niger, Liberia, and DR Congo. The continent remains central to Musk’s vision of “bridging the digital divide” through satellite technology.
What Next?
- Somaliland’s Ultimatum: Starlink must negotiate separately or face operational blockages.
- Somalia’s Enforcement: Can Mogadishu impose Starlink access in Somaliland? Unlikely without conflict.
- Global Precedent: Other breakaway regions (e.g., Transnistria, Taiwan) will watch how tech firms navigate sovereignty disputes.
As Abdiwahab Sheikh Abdisamad (Horn of Africa analyst) cautioned, “Ignoring Somaliland’s demand risks inflaming civil tensions.”
