“The United States should open a consul in Somaliland,” a former US Ambassador to Somalia has recommended.
Stephen M. Schwartz, the former Ambassador to Somalia, made this recommendation on January 16.
Schwartz believes that it is time for the United States – and the international community as a whole – to start recognizing Somaliland’s sovereignty.
According to the former diplomat, Somaliland offers the United States a “strategic base” for carrying out its operations in the Horn of Africa region.
“Furthermore, the US could accomplish much in the regions around the Red Sea from its strategic base,” Schwartz said.
Schwartz detailed all these in an open letter he addressed to the incoming President Joe Bide and his administration.
In his letter, Schwartz advised the US to develop close working relations with the African Union (AU) and other stakeholders to find solutions for Somaliland’s status.
He said that Biden’s administration must sit down with the next President of Somalia and advise him to negotiate “immediately and seriously” with Somaliland.