Wednesday September 3, 2025
Mogadishu (HOL) — Two senior U.S. lawmakers are urging the State Department to issue a separate travel advisory for Somaliland, arguing that the current “Do Not Travel” designation for all of Somalia undermines American engagement and investment in the region.
In a joint letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio dated September 2, Republican Representatives Chris Smith of New Jersey and John Moolenaar of Michigan said that differentiating Somaliland from Somalia would acknowledge the territory’s democratic governance and advance U.S. strategic objectives in countering Chinese influence in the Horn of Africa.
“This distinction would symbolize support for the efforts Somaliland – which the National Defense Authorization Act of 2023 treats as distinct from Federal Member States of Somalia – has made in countering the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in the Horn of Africa, supporting Taiwan, and actively engaging and supporting U.S. interests.”
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Smith and Moolenaar, who chair the Congressional-Executive Commission on China and the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, respectively, described Somaliland as a "safe and prosperous society" that has consistently prevented terrorism, piracy, and smuggling—contrasting it with the broader insecurity in southern Somalia.They also cited the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, which formally distinguished Somaliland from Somalia’s federal member states, as precedent for the State Department to update its guidance.
“The current ‘Do Not Travel’ advisory for Somalia poses a severe deterrent for visitors, commerce, and investment,” the lawmakers wrote, adding that a region-specific advisory would “incentivize U.S. companies and investors to capitalize on its natural resources, including critical minerals such as lithium and copper.”
The letter highlights Somaliland’s partnerships with Taiwan in areas such as healthcare, infrastructure, and maritime security, as well as its growing relationship with Israel through support for the Abraham Accords. The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, they added, has indicated a willingness to collaborate with Taiwan on financing projects related to energy and critical minerals in Somaliland.
The lawmakers warned that failure to distinguish Somaliland could unintentionally bolster China’s regional ambitions. Beijing operates its only overseas military base in Djibouti and has reportedly supplied Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen with Chinese-made weapons and satellite imagery used to target Red Sea shipping lanes.
They also pointed out that the U.S. already provides region-specific travel guidance for several African nations, including Kenya, Ethiopia, and Cameroon. Applying the same approach to Somaliland, they argued, would more accurately reflect the situation on the ground and align with U.S. interests in the region.
Smith and Moolenaar praised recent steps by the Biden administration, including a visit to Hargeisa by a U.S. delegation led by Ambassador Richard Riley and former AFRICOM commander Gen. Michael Langley. They expressed readiness to work with the State Department on efforts to expand engagement with Somaliland.
Republican support for recognizing Somaliland has grown in recent months. Conservative lawmakers and think tanks argue that Somaliland’s democratic governance, regional stability, and pro-Western alignment make it a valuable partner in countering China and Iran’s expanding influence in the Horn of Africa. The push aligns with policy proposals outlined in the Heritage Foundation’s “Project 2025,” a blueprint for a potential second Trump administration, which includes formal recognition of Somaliland. Advocates also point to Somaliland’s strategic coastline, emerging mineral resources, and long-standing autonomy as justification for a shift away from the U.S. “One Somalia” policy.
The State Department has not yet responded publicly to the request.