In a move that could mark a turning point in U.S. policy toward the Horn of Africa, Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has introduced legislation calling for the United States to deepen diplomatic and economic ties with Somaliland, the republic that has operated independently of Somalia since 1991.
The bill, H.R. 5300 — the Department of State Policy Provisions Act — was introduced on September 11 and referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Section 305 of the legislation directs the U.S. Secretary of State to consider two key measures: opening a representative office in Hargeisa, Somaliland’s capital, and issuing travel advisories for Somaliland separate from those for Somalia.
“This is about aligning U.S. policy with reality on the ground,” Mast said in a statement. “Somaliland has shown democratic stability and cooperation with our security interests for more than three decades, and it deserves to be treated differently from the chaos in Mogadishu.”
Breaking with “One Somalia”
For decades, U.S. foreign policy has been guided by the “One Somalia” approach, which recognizes the territorial integrity of Somalia and makes no distinction for Somaliland. Critics of that policy argue it overlooks Somaliland’s record of democratic governance, its peaceful transfers of power — most recently in the 2024 presidential election — and its relative stability compared with the rest of Somalia, where Al-Shabaab insurgents continue to mount attacks.
Section 305 of Mast’s bill does not extend recognition of Somaliland’s independence, a step some lawmakers have pushed for through separate legislation. But it signals growing bipartisan interest in treating Somaliland as a practical partner, especially for trade and investment.
“By distinguishing Somaliland from Somalia, this bill recognizes the reality on the ground and opens the door to stronger U.S.–Somaliland engagement,” said Hussein Deyr, spokesman for the Somaliland presidency, in a post on X. “It affirms that Somaliland is not only a reliable partner of the United States but also a proven model of stability, resilience, and democratic values in the Horn of Africa.”
Travel and business access
Supporters of the bill say a U.S. presence in Hargeisa could provide a lifeline for both Americans and Somalilanders. A representative office would allow the United States to offer consular services, assist U.S. businesses, and facilitate investment in Somaliland’s ports, telecommunications, and agriculture sectors.
“A bifurcated travel advisory is not just a piece of paper; it is the key that unlocks investment, tourism, and deeper humanitarian cooperation,” said a spokesperson for the Somaliland government. “It validates the security and stability our people have worked so hard to achieve.”
The legislation also proposes separating Somaliland from broader U.S. travel advisories that currently group it with Somalia. While Mogadishu and southern Somalia are frequently labeled high-risk zones because of terrorism and armed conflict, Somaliland has remained largely peaceful for more than 30 years. A distinct advisory, lawmakers argue, could encourage American investment, tourism, and humanitarian work.
“Easing travel to and from Somaliland and improving consular services is both welcome and timely,” said Abdirashid Ibrahim, former director-general of Somaliland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “But Section 305 alone is not sufficient. To truly unlock Somaliland’s potential, Congress must also advance the Somaliland Recognition Act.”
Strategic context
The legislation comes amid rising concern in Washington over China’s influence in the Horn of Africa. Beijing maintains its only overseas military base in Djibouti, just across the Gulf of Aden from Somaliland, and has invested heavily in infrastructure there through the Belt and Road Initiative.
Conservative think tanks such as the Heritage Foundation have urged the United States to strengthen ties with Somaliland, describing it as a democratic outpost in a volatile region. A 2025 Heritage report argued that U.S. recognition of Somaliland could serve as a counterweight to China and provide a reliable partner for securing maritime routes through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a chokepoint for global trade and energy supplies.
“Continuing to anchor our policy to a ‘One Somalia’ fiction only cedes ground to our adversaries,” said a senior policy analyst at The Heritage Foundation, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss legislative strategy. “Somaliland is a pro-Western, free-market democracy in a chaotic region. Failing to deepen ties is a missed opportunity to secure a critical partner near the Red Sea.”
“Somaliland offers an opportunity for the U.S. to deepen ties with a democratic ally while countering China’s growing footprint in the region,” Mast said. “We can’t afford to ignore partners who share our values and are strategically positioned.”
International momentum
The U.S. bill follows moves by other governments to strengthen relations with Somaliland. The United Arab Emirates opened a consulate in Hargeisa in 2021, while the United Kingdom recently upgraded its diplomatic presence. Ethiopia signed a memorandum in 2024 granting it sea access through Somaliland’s Berbera Port, a deal that Hargeisa says amounts to partial recognition.
Somaliland’s economy, heavily reliant on $2 billion in annual diaspora remittances, has been buoyed by foreign investment in Berbera Port and the Ethiopia–Berbera corridor. Advocates believe a U.S. office in Hargeisa could accelerate investment and provide reassurance to American companies wary of entering the market.
Next steps in Congress
The bill is at an early stage, having been referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Lawmakers expect debate in the coming months, with the measure potentially folded into broader State Department authorization legislation later this year.
Even if it passes, Section 305 would stop short of granting Somaliland the full recognition its leaders seek. But for many in Hargeisa, the symbolism matters.
“This bill is a clear acknowledgment of Somaliland’s unique achievements: over three decades of peace, democratic governance, and stability in one of the world’s most turbulent regions,” Deyr said.
Whether the legislation becomes law or stalls in committee, its introduction reflects a growing willingness in Washington to challenge the diplomatic status quo in the Horn of Africa — and to treat Somaliland less as a footnote to Somalia and more as a partner in its own right.
