By Paulo Santos, Horn of Africa Analyst
In what may be the boldest geopolitical move since someone tried to rent out the moon, Somalia’s federal government has reportedly offered the United States exclusive control over four critical military and maritime assets — including one location it doesn’t even control: the Port of Berbera in Somaliland.
Yes, you read that right.
According to a letter from President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to U.S. President Trump (leaked faster than Mogadishu loses power during a thunderstorm), Somalia wants the U.S. to take over the Balidogle and Berbera air bases, and the ports of Bosaso and Berbera — all in the name of “deepening military cooperation.”
There’s just one problem: Somalia doesn’t control Berbera. Somaliland does.
From Mogadishu With… Desperation?
Let’s be blunt. Somalia isn’t exactly in the best position to be offering luxury military packages to the world’s biggest superpower. The central government in Mogadishu is barely holding onto its own capital, with Al-Shabaab insurgents lurking just kilometers from Villa Somalia.
Somali troops, often underpaid and under-equipped, are still dependent on African Union and U.S. support to fend off militants. Meanwhile, entire regions of the country remain effectively outside government control. So naturally, the solution is to… offer Americans exclusive rights to foreign-controlled ports?
One might wonder if this is less about security cooperation and more about desperately clinging to relevance.
The Berbera Blunder
The crown jewel in this bizarre offer is Berbera — a strategic port city on the Gulf of Aden. There’s just one catch: Berbera is in Somaliland, the self-governing republic that declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and hasn’t looked back since.
Somaliland has its own currency, elections, military, and foreign policy. It has been stable and democratic while Mogadishu has seen more warlords than mayors. It even has existing security partnerships with countries like the UAE and the UK — but Somalia still insists it owns the place.
Offering Berbera to the U.S. without so much as a call to Hargeisa is like trying to lease out your neighbor’s house to Airbnb guests — and then asking them to leave a 5-star review.
Somaliland’s foreign minister, Abdirahman Dahir Aden, didn’t hold back. “What cooperation?” he snapped, calling the Somali federal government “corrupted” and praising the U.S. for increasingly recognizing Somaliland’s stable track record. “The USA is not stupid,” he added.
And let’s hope that’s true. Because if Washington were to accept control of Berbera via Mogadishu, it would amount to legitimizing Somalia’s claims over a territory it hasn’t governed in over three decades — effectively erasing Somaliland’s hard-earned de facto independence in one fell swoop.
What’s in It for Somalia? A Last Grasp at Sovereignty
Why would Somalia include Berbera — twice — in its offer?
Simple. It’s a message to Washington: “If you’re going to deal with Somaliland, deal with us first.” It’s a last-ditch attempt to reassert control over a breakaway region that’s been operating just fine without it.
It’s also a clever geopolitical move: by inserting Berbera into the negotiation, Somalia hopes to box the U.S. into recognizing the central government’s sovereignty — or at least delay any direct military agreement between Somaliland and the West.
But the timing is telling. Somaliland is increasingly attracting Western interest thanks to its stability, strategic location, and anti-terrorism cooperation. Rumors are already swirling about quiet backroom discussions with U.S. officials. Somalia’s offer might just be an attempt to pre-empt a diplomatic shift that could finally shatter the fragile illusion of a united Somali Republic.
Balidogle and Bosaso: The Realistic Offers
Among the four locations offered, only two — Balidogle airbase and the Port of Bosaso — are under some degree of Mogadishu’s control. Balidogle, located northwest of the capital, has long been used by U.S. forces for drone operations and training Somali commandos. Bosaso, in Puntland, is semi-autonomous but still technically within the Somali federation.
These two are feasible, if not politically straightforward.
But Berbera? That’s pure fiction.
Is Washington Falling for It? Not So Fast
The U.S. State Department hasn’t commented publicly yet. And you can bet their legal team is combing through maps, treaties, and maybe even TikTok to figure out what exactly is going on.
But one thing is clear: accepting Berbera from Mogadishu’s hands would risk alienating Somaliland and undermining potential security cooperation with a proven regional partner. It would also embarrass Washington by showing it’s unable to distinguish between reality and fantasy on the Horn.
Given Somaliland’s track record — peaceful elections, anti-terror operations, a functional government — the U.S. may be better off dealing with the adults in the room.
A Bigger Picture: The Battle for Influence in the Horn
The Horn of Africa is fast becoming a new theater for global power plays. China is investing in ports. The UAE is building bases. Turkey has troops in Mogadishu. The U.S. is trying to keep up without getting dragged into civil wars or clan politics.
This latest move by Somalia could backfire if seen as overreaching or as a direct challenge to Somaliland’s aspirations. Worse, it could deepen rifts within Somalia itself, with Puntland and Jubaland already acting more like independent states than federal regions.
Conclusion: When Maps Don’t Match Reality
Somalia’s offer to hand over strategic infrastructure it can’t control is a fascinating case of diplomatic overreach — or maybe just wishful thinking. While the U.S. may see value in strengthening regional partnerships, it will need to tread carefully.
Backing Somalia’s delusions about Berbera could mean alienating Somaliland. Ignoring the offer altogether might push Mogadishu further into instability. And trying to play both sides? That could unravel the very fragile threads still holding this region together.
As usual in the Horn of Africa, the real power lies not with who makes the offer — but with who actually holds the ground.
So, dear readers: Should the U.S. play along with Mogadishu’s imaginary empire, or finally call a spade a spade and recognize Somaliland?