Mogadishu, Somalia – The United States government has reiterated its recognition of Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, explicitly affirming that Somaliland remains part of the Federal Republic of Somalia. The statement was delivered Thursday by a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, who confirmed to Fox News Digital that Washington is not engaged in any negotiations to recognize Somaliland as an independent state.
The clarification comes in the wake of renewed calls from U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, who had urged former President Donald Trump to acknowledge Somaliland as a separate nation, arguing that the region merits international recognition. Somaliland, a self-declared republic in northwestern Somalia, has maintained a separate administration since 1991 but remains unrecognized by the United Nations and the wider international community.
By reaffirming its position, Washington reinforced its longstanding policy of supporting Somalia’s unity while encouraging dialogue and federalism as frameworks for addressing internal political differences. The U.S. continues to engage with Somalia on counterterrorism, humanitarian assistance, and governance reforms, while stressing the importance of national cohesion in achieving long-term stability.
This latest statement aligns with previous U.S. positions at the United Nations and in bilateral discussions with Somali leaders, where officials have underscored that recognition of breakaway regions would undermine efforts to consolidate peace and state-building in Somalia.
The reaffirmation also signals Washington’s reluctance to alter the delicate balance in the Horn of Africa, a region already facing heightened tensions over maritime disputes, counterinsurgency operations, and geopolitical rivalries.