Hargeisa (Kaab TV) – Somaliland has announced that it is prepared to enter into an agreement with the United States concerning its mineral resources and to allow Washington to establish military bases along the Gulf of Aden coast, according to Somaliland’s Minister of the Presidency, Khadar Hussein Cabdi, in an interview with AFP.
The minister stated that Somaliland is seriously interested in reaching a strategic agreement with the United States. “We are ready to grant the United States special access to our mineral resources. We are also open to providing military bases,” he said.
He added that he is optimistic the talks will yield positive results. “We believe we will reach an agreement with the United States,” he told AFP.
The minister also did not rule out the possibility of Israel establishing a military base in Somaliland, particularly in the strategic area of Berbera. The President of Somaliland recently announced that he is working on agreements related to minerals and technology with Israel.
According to the AFP report, Somaliland officials argue that the territory is rich in valuable minerals such as lithium and coltan, although these claims have not yet been independently verified.
The statement comes as Somaliland intensifies its efforts to gain international recognition, following Israel’s expression of support in December for Somaliland’s independence, as the territory’s geographic location continues to grow in strategic importance for global security and trade.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government of Somalia has strongly opposed the possibility of any agreement between Somaliland and foreign governments, maintaining that Somaliland remains part of the Federal Republic of Somalia.