Somalia is intensifying its lobbying efforts in Washington as it faces increased calls for the United States to recognize Somaliland as an independent state. The Somali embassy has contracted the BGR Group, one of the top lobbying firms in the US, in a $600,000 deal spanning 12 months to provide “government affairs services.”
This move comes as a growing number of Republicans, including influential figures from the Trump administration, advocate for recognizing Somaliland to counter China’s influence in the Horn of Africa.
Somaliland Advocacy Gains Momentum
Republican voices, including former State Department officials such as Kiron Skinner and Tibor Nagy, have urged the US to recognize Somaliland as a strategic partner. This push has been framed as a response to China’s increasing footprint in Djibouti and the region.
Senator Jim Risch of Idaho, a long-time advocate for Somaliland, is set to chair the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. His 2022 Somaliland Partnership Act emphasized regional security cooperation without full recognition but laid the groundwork for expanded collaboration.
Somalia’s Stance
The Somali government is opposing these efforts, emphasizing its partnership with the US on security and counterterrorism initiatives. The embassy hopes to expand economic ties and secure eligibility for the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which would boost trade opportunities.
Relations between Somalia and the US saw challenges during Trump’s first term, but the Somali government aims to rebuild and strengthen ties as it navigates the shifting political landscape in Washington.