Why Somaliland Is Strategically Important

Israel’s decision to recognise Somaliland as an independent state has thrust the long-unrecognised territory in the Horn of Africa into the centre of global geopolitics. Located astride some of the world’s busiest maritime routes and increasingly courted by regional and extra-regional powers, Somaliland’s importance lies not just in its unresolved political status but in its geography, ports, and role in the intensifying contest for influence around the Red Sea.

A region long ignored, suddenly in focus

Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991, following the collapse of Somalia’s central government. While it has built its own institutions, held elections, and maintained relative stability for over three decades, no major power had formally recognised it — until now.

Israel’s move, followed by signals from US lawmakers and reports that other countries may follow, has transformed Somaliland from a diplomatic footnote into a strategic prize. Somalia, which considers Somaliland part of its sovereign territory, has reacted sharply, warning that recognition threatens regional stability.

The geography that makes Somaliland indispensable

Somaliland’s strategic value flows first from its location. The territory sits at the junction of the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea, overlooking approaches to the Bab el-Mandeb strait — a narrow chokepoint through which a significant share of global trade and energy supplies passes.

Its coastline provides direct access to shipping lanes linking Europe, the Middle East and Asia. At a time when vessels in the Red Sea have faced repeated attacks by Yemen’s Houthi militia, control and surveillance over nearby ports and waters have acquired heightened security significance.

Berbera port and the contest over maritime access

At the heart of Somaliland’s appeal lies the Berbera port, a deep-water facility capable of handling large commercial and military vessels. Berbera offers a rare alternative to congested or politically sensitive ports in the region, especially for landlocked neighbours.

For Ethiopia — Africa’s second most populous country — access to Berbera could reduce dependence on Djibouti, which currently handles the bulk of Ethiopian trade and hosts major foreign military bases. Addis Ababa’s 2024 memorandum of understanding with Somaliland, offering port access in exchange for possible recognition, underlined how economic needs and geopolitics intersect around Berbera.

A magnet for global and regional powers

Somaliland has increasingly drawn attention from powers seeking influence in the Red Sea–Horn of Africa corridor. Israel’s recognition is widely seen as linked to maritime security and countering hostile actors in and around the Red Sea.

The United Arab Emirates has already entrenched itself economically. Through DP World, Abu Dhabi operates Berbera port, the adjoining airport, and a free-trade zone — part of a broader Emirati strategy to control key logistics hubs from the Gulf to East Africa.

Turkey, meanwhile, has cultivated close ties with Somalia, training its security forces and maintaining a presence along vital shipping routes, while also mediating between Somalia and Ethiopia. These overlapping interests have turned Somaliland into a focal point of competing regional strategies.

The recognition question and regional fault lines

Any move to recognise Somaliland carries ripple effects across the Horn of Africa. Somalia fears that international acceptance of Somaliland would encourage fragmentation and weaken its already fragile state. Egypt, locked in a long-running dispute with Ethiopia over Nile waters, has edged closer to Mogadishu, while Eritrea has aligned against Addis Ababa’s regional ambitions.

These shifting alignments show how Somaliland’s status is tied not only to its own aspirations but to wider rivalries involving water security, ports, and influence over Red Sea trade.

What Somaliland’s people want — and what they reject

Despite external interest, Somaliland’s leaders insist that recognition does not mean surrendering autonomy to foreign powers. The government has denied that Israel’s recognition would allow foreign military bases or the resettlement of Palestinians from Gaza on its territory.

Domestically, Somaliland’s politics are shaped by a strong sense of self-rule. While many citizens seek international recognition to unlock investment and diplomatic legitimacy, there is little appetite for becoming a proxy or pawn in great-power competition.

Why Somaliland matters beyond Africa

Somaliland’s sudden prominence reflects a broader global trend: geography is once again destiny. As trade routes become weaponised, ports securitised, and chokepoints contested, territories like Somaliland — stable yet politically unresolved — acquire outsized importance.

Whether more countries follow Israel’s lead will determine not just Somaliland’s future, but also the balance of power around one of the world’s most critical maritime corridors. In that sense, Somaliland is no longer merely a breakaway region — it is a strategic crossroads where local aspirations and global rivalries now converge.