Somalia’s state minister for foreign affairs meets Cruz as Somaliland recognition push grows in Washington

Somalia’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ali Mohamed Omar, said he met with U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz. In a post on X, Omar wrote: “Grateful to Sen. Ted Cruz for meeting to discuss Somalia’s pivotal role in countering terrorism & securing the Horn of Africa,” adding, “U.S. support is vital to defeating Al-Shabaab & ISIS, ensuring trade routes stay safe. Let’s strengthen our partnership for a stable, prosperous Somalia.” No further details of the meeting were provided.

Cruz, a Republican from Texas, has been one of the most outspoken voices in Washington pushing for the United States to recognize Somaliland, a breakaway region that declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but has never been internationally recognized.

In a letter to President Donald Trump, Cruz described Somaliland as “a stable, self-governing, democratic nation” and highlighted its record of peaceful elections, cooperation with Taiwan, interest in engaging with Israel, and willingness to host a U.S. military presence near the Red Sea. He argued that Somaliland’s location along the Gulf of Aden makes it a critical partner for U.S. security interests.

Somalia has consistently rejected such calls, warning that recognition of Somaliland would undermine its sovereignty and embolden extremist groups. Dahir Hassan, Somalia’s ambassador to Washington, previously said “any move threatening Somalia’s territorial integrity would embolden extremist groups the country is actively fighting.”

The foreign minister’s meeting with Cruz comes as Somaliland gains more attention from Republican lawmakers. In a recent letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Rep. John Moolenaar, chair of the House Select Committee on China, and Rep. Chris Smith, chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, urged the State Department to issue a separate travel advisory for Somaliland. They cited its “security and law enforcement authorities [that] have ensured the security of its territory and surrounding waters.” The lawmakers also praised Somaliland’s international outreach, noting its “close cooperation with Taiwan on healthcare, infrastructure, and maritime cooperation and growing ties with Israel through its solid support of the Abraham Accords.”