By Mohamed Abdi - Reporter
WASHINGTON (Dawan) – September 6, 2026 Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi “Irro” and a delegation he is leading arrived in the United States on Saturday for his first visit to the country since taking office, according to the Somaliland presidency.
Irro arrived in the United States two days after departing Somaliland and was accompanied by members of his cabinet and presidential advisers as his administration seeks to strengthen engagement with Washington.
The Somaliland presidency said the visit will focus on strengthening relations with the United States, security and economic cooperation, attracting investment and advancing Somaliland’s campaign for international recognition.
During his stay, Irro is expected to meet members of the US House of Representatives and Senate, as well as engage with members of the Somaliland diaspora.
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The president is expected to remain in the United States for an extended visit, with a meeting scheduled with members of the Somaliland diaspora on September 19.
The trip marks Irro’s first visit to the United States since assuming the Somaliland presidency and forms part of his administration’s efforts to expand Somaliland’s international engagement.
Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991, continues to seek international recognition as a separate state, while the Federal Government of Somalia maintains that Somaliland remains part of Somalia.