Hargeisa (Dawan Africa) — U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) Commander General Michael Langley and U.S. Ambassador to Somalia Richard Riley conducted a high-level visit to Hargeisa on Thursday, reflecting Washington’s growing engagement in regional security and counterterrorism efforts in the Horn of Africa.
During the visit, the delegation held talks with Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro. According to a statement from the Somaliland Presidential Office, the discussions centered on enhancing cooperation in counterterrorism, maritime security, and defense capacity-building. While the visit did not signal any formal policy change by the United States, it has prompted renewed scrutiny of America’s evolving security partnerships in the region.
“This engagement highlights the increasing interest of international actors in supporting regional stability and addressing transnational threats,” said Abdulkhaliq Awad, a regional security analyst based in Nairobi, in an interview with Dawan Africa.
Although Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991, it remains unrecognized by the international community. Nevertheless, its geostrategic position along the Gulf of Aden and its relative political stability have drawn the attention of global powers seeking reliable security partners.
The Port of Berbera, expanded through UAE-backed investments from DP World, is increasingly viewed as a potential logistical and naval hub. In 2021, reports emerged of U.S. interest in potential military access to the port as part of wider Red Sea security arrangements.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government of Somalia has confirmed it is engaged in separate defense talks with the United States. Somali officials have proposed reviving a Cold War-era agreement signed in the 1980s, which had granted U.S. forces access to Somali ports and airfields.
Mogadishu continues to assert that Somaliland is part of its sovereign territory and has repeatedly criticized foreign entities that engage directly with Hargeisa outside the federal framework.
The simultaneous outreach to both Somaliland and Somalia highlights the delicate balancing act Washington faces as it seeks to deepen counterterrorism cooperation without undermining regional sovereignty norms. The visit by General Langley comes amid an uptick in U.S. military operations in Somalia, including drone strikes targeting al-Shabaab and the recent re-deployment of American forces.
The Horn of Africa remains a theater of strategic rivalry, with the United States, China, Turkey, and Gulf states competing for influence over key maritime corridors and security partnerships.
While U.S. officials have not made public comments on the long-term strategic intent behind the Hargeisa visit, the move is being closely watched by regional capitals and analysts monitoring great power competition in East Africa.
