A Conversation With President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi of Somaliland

Somaliland, a self-governing nation since 1991, seeks formal international recognition to unlock its economic potential and solidify its role as a critical regional security partner. President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi asserts that the country fulfills all Montevideo Convention criteria for statehood, yet remains excluded from global financial institutions and the United Nations. Official recognition would allow Somaliland to leverage its strategic location along the Gulf of Aden, with projections indicating economic growth from $3.6 billion to $10 billion by 2035. By facilitating intelligence sharing and maritime patrols, the nation offers the United States and the West a stable ally in a volatile region. Despite opposition from some regional actors, Somaliland maintains a commitment to democratic governance, peaceful power transitions, and a homegrown security model that has successfully prevented extremist infiltration and maintained regional stability for over three decades.