Somalland hits Somalia’s proposal of Trump of Berbera Airbase and port

Somalland’s detached region has rejected the central government’s attempt to give exceptional control to the US port and an air base in Berber.

The city is located on the strategic Gulf of Aden, on the northern coast of Somalland. The territory, which declared independence in 1991, as Somalia descended into the Civil War, says the facilities are not Mogadishu to distribute.

In a letter to US President Donald Trump, seen by Reuters news agency, Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud also offered a port and aviation base in Somalia, saying all four will strengthen US security operations.

Somalland Foreign Minister Abdirahman Dahir Aden rejected this move as “desperate”.

The signals given before Trump begins his second term of office to have given Somalilanders that the United States may become the world’s first country to recognize the self -applauded republic, which operates as a factual country of nearly 34 years.

“There is nothing they can do to stop Somalland’s upcoming recognition,” published the X in response to the letter.

The recently expanded Somaliland port in Berber is run by DP World by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) – a key ally of the United States.

“The United States is not stupid. They know who they have to deal with when it comes to Berbera port,” the minister told Reuters.

The United States has long played a major role in helping Somalia to fight Islamist fighters related to al -Qaeda and the Islamic State group, providing intelligence and air strikes.

Al-Shabab, who controls the territory of the territory in southern and central Somalia, is considered to be the most successful branch of al-Qaeda.

Observers say Mogadishu fear Trump will reduce US support, as he during his first term.

In December, the Somali government signed a $ 600,000 deal (492,000 British pounds) annually with the highest lobbying company in Washington for tips on US-Somalia relations.

The letter to Trump, which Reuters says is on March 16, explains how exceptional control over the offered air bases and ports can help the United States counteract the influence of other international players in the African horn – probably referring to China and Russia.

“These strategically positioned assets provide the opportunity to strengthen US engagement in the region … while not allowing external competitors to establish a presence in this critical corridor,” the statement said.

But Somalia’s federal setting may also consider President Mohamud’s proposal from the port of Bosso, which is located in the semi -autonomous Northeastern region of Puntland.

The officials there have not yet commented on the letter, but the online publication of Somalia Garowe says that if the offer is made without consulting them. Relations between Puntland and Modhichu can be further tense.

The second aircraft mentioned is in Blevalogen, northwest of the capital, where US soldiers already have a presence training Somali forces to combat al -Shabab.

This is not the first time a port in Somalland was a source of dispute.

Last year, Turkey intervened to end a feud that threatened to escalate into a regional conflict after Ethiopia signed a maritime deal with Somalland to build a port there.

Somalia replied by calling the course of an “act of aggression” as he views Somalland as part of her territory.