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Larry André with the former President of the Republic of Somaliland, H.E. Muse Bihi Abdi, at the Somaliland Presidency in 2023.
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![Enlarged view of Larry André meeting with President Muse Bihi Abdi]()
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Hargeisa, Somaliland – August 22, 2025 – In a major development boosting Somaliland's long-standing quest for international recognition, retired US Ambassador Larry André revealed that leading Republican foreign policy figures are actively advocating for formal US acknowledgment of the self-declared republic. André, who previously served as ambassador to Somalia, said recognition "could happen" and pointed to key figures driving the initiative, prompting him to write a recent article on the subject. The revelation has sparked widespread reactions, with Somaliland officials welcoming it as evidence of accelerating diplomatic progress.
During a public discussion, André addressed misconceptions about the feasibility of US recognition, countering skepticism from Somali nationalists who had dismissed it as unattainable. He emphasized Somaliland's stability and strategic importance in the Horn of Africa, noting its counter-terrorism role and access to the Red Sea through Berbera Port as factors appealing to US interests. Despite the US State Department reaffirming its "One Somalia" policy earlier this week, mounting pressure from Republican lawmakers, including Senator Ted Cruz, has intensified diplomatic tensions, drawing criticism even from China’s embassy in Somalia.
Adding to the momentum, Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro called on the Nobel Committee to award former US President Donald Trump the Peace Prize for his administration's supportive stance on Somaliland's recognition efforts. President Irro highlighted recent US legislative pushes and vowed to secure full recognition during his term, emphasizing Somaliland's democratic achievements and international partnerships, including UAE investments in infrastructure and healthcare. Since declaring independence from Somalia in 1991 following a brutal civil war, Somaliland has maintained relative peace and held multiple elections, though it remains unrecognized by most nations.
In a related development, former Somali Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble publicly endorsed Somaliland's recognition bid, criticizing the approach of the Mogadishu government and urging a pragmatic resolution to the longstanding impasse. Analysts suggest these developments could reshape regional dynamics, potentially affecting Ethiopia’s access to the sea and broader stability in the Horn of Africa, while critics warn that tensions with Somalia may intensify.
Somaliland’s Foreign Ministry reiterated its commitment to lawful diplomacy, with preparations underway for high-level talks in Washington. As global attention grows, advocates argue that recognition is not merely a political favor but a strategic necessity to combat terrorism and foster economic growth in a volatile region.
