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In a dramatic geopolitical move with potentially far-reaching consequences, Somalia has offered the United States exclusive control over some of its most strategic military and maritime assets. The offer, made in a letter dated March 16, 2025, from Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to former U.S. President Donald Trump, was confirmed by Reuters after review and authentication by a regional diplomat familiar with the matter.
According to the letter, Somalia is prepared to hand the United States exclusive access to critical infrastructure, including the air bases in Balidogle and Berbera, as well as the ports of Berbera and Bosaso. These locations are positioned at key points across the Horn of Africa, a region of rising military significance due to growing threats from extremist groups and the increasing presence of global powers vying for influence.
President Mohamud wrote that “these strategically positioned assets provide an opportunity to bolster American engagement in the region, ensuring uninterrupted military and logistical access while preventing external competitors from establishing a presence in this critical corridor.” While U.S. officials have not publicly commented on the proposal, the potential implications are vast, particularly regarding regional security dynamics and U.S. competition with China and Russia in Africa.
Balidogle, located about 90 kilometers northwest of Mogadishu, has long been used by U.S. forces for counterterrorism operations targeting the al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabaab group. Bosaso, meanwhile, sits in Puntland, a semi-autonomous region with its own internal governance structure, making federal oversight more complex.
However, the inclusion of Berbera—both the air base and port—in the deal has already sparked controversy. Berbera is located in Somaliland, a self-declared independent state that Somalia does not recognize. The Somaliland government has pushed for international recognition for decades and views any claim by Mogadishu over its territory as illegitimate.
Somaliland’s Foreign Minister, Abdirahman Dahir Aden, swiftly responded to news of the letter with sharp criticism. “What cooperation? The USA gave up this corrupted regime called Somalia. The USA is now ready to deal with Somaliland, who has shown the world to be a peaceful, stable, and democratic nation,” Aden told Reuters. “The USA is not stupid. They know who they need to deal with when it comes to Berbera port.”
This emerging standoff sets the stage for a diplomatic tug-of-war between Somalia’s central government and the administration of Somaliland. While the U.S. has maintained relations with Mogadishu as the internationally recognized capital, it has also deepened informal ties with Somaliland in recent years, including cooperation on security and economic development.
The Somali government has not officially commented on the letter. Requests for responses from Somalia’s foreign affairs and information ministries went unanswered as of Saturday. Analysts say the offer is likely aimed at cementing American support as Somalia navigates internal political instability, rising militant threats, and the looming specter of territorial fragmentation.
If accepted, the deal would mark a major expansion of U.S. military capabilities in East Africa, giving Washington secure platforms for launching operations and maintaining supply lines across the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean. However, it could also strain relations with other regional actors and further inflame tensions with Somaliland.
As the United States weighs its next steps, the Horn of Africa once again finds itself at the center of a global strategic chessboard.