By Asha Elmi - Reporter
WASHINGTON, September 19, 2026 Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro met U.S. Senator Ted Cruz on Capitol Hill to discuss Somaliland’s campaign for U.S. recognition and closer strategic relations, the Somaliland presidency said on Saturday.
The presidency said the talks covered security, economic cooperation and regional stability, including developments in the Horn of Africa, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
The Republican senator from Texas has previously urged President Donald Trump’s administration to recognise Somaliland, arguing that closer ties would advance U.S. security and diplomatic interests in a region important to global trade and counterterrorism.
Related articles
Somaliland said it was seeking a long-term relationship with Washington based on shared strategic interests rather than foreign aid or dependency.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and has since maintained its own government, currency and security forces. Somalia considers Somaliland part of its territory and opposes international recognition of the region.