The US government is hesitant to back Somaliland’s bid for independence, believing that doing so will result in the disintegration of Somalia as a whole.
Officials in the Joe Biden administration stressed that the region will continue to be considered as a part of Somalia, demonstrating to audiences in Washington that it has conducted its own affairs for 30 years.
Molly Phee, the US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, said she discussed “strengthening US engagement with Somaliland within the framework of our shared Somalia strategy” with Mr Bihi on Tuesday.
In a series of interviews with local media, US Ambassador to Somalia Larry Andre emphasized that despite the trip, Washington’s position on Somalia will not alter.
Bihi said they were tired of waiting to unify with Somalia, whose other areas remain unstable, in a keynote speech at the Heritage Foundation.
“On June 26, 1960, Somaliland obtained independence and international recognition,” according to the statement, adding that only five days later, Somaliland voluntarily joined Somalia with the goal of forming a “Greater Somalia,” formally known as the Somali Republic.