Somaliland Pushes UN Recognition Drive on Sidelines of General Assembly
Somalia · GEOPOLITICS
Key Facts
- —What happened Somaliland is using the United Nations General Assembly season in New York to press its long-running campaign for international recognition as a sovereign state.
- —The push Israel became the first United Nations member state to recognise Somaliland in December 2025, and the United Arab Emirates is lobbying several more countries to follow.
- —The money The United Arab Emirates has hired lobbying firms such as FGS Global, paying about $2.6 million in six months with an annual budget projected near $5 million to promote recognition.
- —The asset A $442 million, 30-year concession with Dubai-based DP World is transforming the port of Berbera into a regional hub, with ownership split 51% DP World, 30% Somaliland and 19% Ethiopia.
- —The flashpoint On 1 January 2024, Ethiopia and Somaliland signed a memorandum granting Ethiopia 20 km of coastline for 50 years in return for a promise to recognise Somaliland; Somalia called the deal “null and void.”
- —What comes next Somalia, backed by several allies, is lobbying United Nations members during the General Assembly to block any recognition moves and preserve Somali territorial integrity.
Somaliland is using the United Nations General Assembly season in New York to intensify its campaign for international recognition, offering Red Sea security and Berbera port access in exchange for diplomatic support.
Somaliland is turning the corridors of the United Nations General Assembly into a lobbying stage. Its leaders want the world to treat the self-declared republic as a sovereign state, not a breakaway region of Somalia.
A diplomatic push in New York
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia on 18 May 1991. Its claim rests on an earlier sovereignty: it was briefly recognised by more than 30 states after its 26 June 1960 independence as British Somaliland, before entering an unratified union with Somalia.
In August 2025, Somaliland actors submitted a detailed legal case to the United Nations Secretary-General. They argued that the original statehood “continues” and that Somaliland is not a secessionist entity, urging re-admission to the United Nations system.
President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi “Irro” has campaigned for recognition throughout 2025 and 2026. The breakthrough came in December 2025, when Israel became the first United Nations member state to recognise Somaliland; Irro made a state visit to Jerusalem in June 2026.
Paid lobbying and the United Arab Emirates connection
Parallel to the diplomatic outreach, Somaliland relies heavily on paid lobbying in Western capitals. Reports indicate the United Arab Emirates has hired major firms such as FGS Global to promote recognition and shape media narratives.
The lobbying effort is substantial: about $2.6 million was paid in six months, with an annual budget projected near $5 million. That money buys access, messaging and pressure in Washington and European capitals.
The United Arab Emirates is not acting out of sentiment. Its interest runs through the port of Berbera on the Gulf of Aden, where a $442 million, 30-year concession with Dubai-based DP World is transforming the harbour into a regional hub.
Berbera, Ethiopia and the Red Sea chessboard
Ownership of the Berbera concession is split 51% DP World, 30% Somaliland and 19% Ethiopia. Berbera and nearby Bosaso have attracted Emirati investment in both commercial and prospective military facilities.
The aim is to compete with China’s corridor via Djibouti and to give landlocked Ethiopia alternative sea access for its 120 million people. On 1 January 2024, Ethiopia and Somaliland signed a memorandum of understanding granting Ethiopia 20 km of coastline for 50 years to develop a commercial port and naval base.
In return, Ethiopia promised to recognise Somaliland’s independence. Somalia’s federal government immediately denounced the deal as “null and void,” reasserting its sovereignty over Somaliland and warning foreign partners against recognition.
Great-power rivalry at the Bab el-Mandeb
These arrangements have turned Somaliland into a node of great-power competition at the southern entrance to the Bab el-Mandeb. Analysts describe converging contests: United States–China rivalry over basing and maritime routes, and Egypt–Ethiopia tensions over Nile and regional primacy.
A regional split has emerged between a Turkey–Saudi–Qatar bloc backing Somali territorial integrity and an emerging “Berbera axis” of Somaliland–United Arab Emirates–Ethiopia, with some reporting also pointing to Israel. For Western powers, Somaliland’s offer combines military basing rights at Berbera, participation in Red Sea security and potential access to critical minerals in exchange for diplomatic recognition.
In the United States, draft legislation such as H.R. 3992 in June 2025 has proposed formal recognition, though it remains stalled. The broader scramble for influence fits the pattern covered in Africa: The New Scramble.
Somalia’s counter-campaign at the United Nations
Somalia, backed by several allies, continues to lobby United Nations members and international partners during the General Assembly to block any recognition moves. Its core argument is the principle of Somali territorial integrity.
The federal government in Mogadishu treats the Ethiopia–Somaliland memorandum as an attack on its sovereignty. It has warned foreign partners that engagement with Hargeisa undermines the Somali state.
The contest is now playing out in New York, where both sides are working the same corridors. The outcome will shape not only Somaliland’s future but also the balance of power across the Horn of Africa.
What to watch next
The immediate test is whether any additional United Nations member states signal openness to recognition during or shortly after the General Assembly session. Israel recognised Somaliland in December 2025, and Somali sources say the United Arab Emirates is lobbying countries including Eswatini, Argentina, Zambia and the Dominican Republic to follow.
The United States Congress could also move on H.R. 3992, though the legislation has stalled. Any progress there would dramatically shift the diplomatic calculus.
Meanwhile, the Berbera port expansion continues to anchor the economic case for recognition. The $442 million DP World concession runs for 30 years, giving outside powers a long-term stake in Somaliland’s status.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Somaliland want United Nations recognition?
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia on 18 May 1991 and argues its original statehood from 26 June 1960 continues. Recognition would open access to international finance, treaties and security partnerships.
What role does the Berbera port play in the recognition campaign?
The $442 million, 30-year DP World concession at Berbera gives the United Arab Emirates and Ethiopia a commercial and strategic stake in Somaliland. Access to the port and Red Sea security are central bargaining chips in the lobbying effort.
How has Somalia responded to the recognition push?
Somalia has called the Ethiopia–Somaliland memorandum “null and void” and is lobbying United Nations members during the General Assembly to block recognition. It argues the moves violate Somali territorial integrity.
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