By Horn Africa News
Somali Senator Prof. Abdi Ismail Samatar has strongly dismissed reports claiming that the United States is considering recognizing Somaliland. His comments come amid growing debate within Somalia and abroad over Somaliland’s status and its push for international recognition.
Somaliland, which unilaterally declared independence in 1991 following the collapse of Somalia’s central government, has maintained its own administration and institutions for more than three decades. However, it has yet to secure formal recognition from any country. Recent speculation—fueled by lobbying groups and international media reports—suggested that Washington might extend special or official recognition to Somaliland.
Prof. Samatar labeled the claims as “rumors and misinformation,” emphasizing that no nation, including the U.S., supports the division of Somalia. He pointed to global trends such as the European Union’s unity and Africa’s regional integration efforts, arguing that the momentum worldwide is toward cooperation, not fragmentation.
The senator further cautioned against the role of international lobbying firms, which he said are advancing Somaliland’s recognition efforts for financial and political gain rather than genuine foreign policy considerations.
His remarks echo the Somali federal government’s longstanding position that the country’s unity and territorial integrity are non-negotiable, even as Somaliland persists in its decades-long campaign for recognition.
