After Israeli Recognition, Somaliland’s President Heads to Washington

Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi is expected to arrive in the United States in the coming days for his first visit to Washington since taking office. At the heart of the trip will be Somaliland’s effort to win U.S. recognition of its independence, seeking to build on the momentum created by Israel’s recognition. This was reported Tuesday morning by Reshet Bet.

According to the report, Abdullahi is also expected to visit New York during his time in the United States and hold meetings with American politicians, including members of Congress and the Senate. However, Somaliland hopes the visit will also reach the highest levels of the White House. A source familiar with the details said, "The hope is to meet President Trump as well."

The visit comes nearly three months after Abdullahi made a historic visit to Israel, following Jerusalem’s recognition of Somaliland’s independence last year. Somaliland’s leadership now seeks to use the momentum generated by the Israeli move to persuade Washington to join in recognizing it as an independent state.

According to a source familiar with the details of the visit, this is in fact one of the president’s central goals for his current trip to the United States. It can be assumed that Israel is aware of the effort, and it may even be helping Somaliland in its push for U.S. recognition.

But reaching that goal will not be simple. Apart from the United Arab Emirates, the overwhelming majority of countries in the region side with Somalia on the issue, led by Saudi Arabia and Turkey. Somalia claims sovereignty over Somaliland and refuses to recognize its independence.