US can access minerals, military bases in Somaliland, minister to AFP
Africa
By
AFP
| Feb 22, 2026
Somaliland is willing to give the United States access to its minerals and military bases, a minister has told AFP, as the breakaway region of Somalia seeks international recognition.
Israel became the only country in the world to recognise Somaliland's independence in December -- something the territory has been seeking since declaring its autonomy from Somalia in 1991.
The government in Mogadishu still considers Somaliland an integral part of Somalia even though the territory has run its own affairs since 1991, with its own passport, currency, army and police force.
"We are willing to give exclusive (access to our minerals) to the United States. Also, we are open to offer military bases to the United States," Khadar Hussein Abdi, minister of the presidency, told AFP in an interview on Saturday.
"We believe that we will agree on something with the United States."
READ MORE
Banks double lending target to small businesses to hit Sh326b
Contradictions in rural economies 13 years into devolved governance
Return of the bitter pill: Kenya softens IMF stance as Iran shock bites
Court clears way for Sh619 billion EABL shares sale
JKUAT to assemble 3,000 computers for digital hubs countrywide
Jubilee Holdings profit jumps 18 per cent on increased revenue
Why data privacy matters for Kenyan enterprises
African electric vehicle firm bets on innovation with US stock listing
How green certification is driving regional demand for warehouses
CBK cuts Kenya growth forecast to 5.3pc on Iran war disruption
Somaliland president Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi already suggested in recent weeks granting Israel privileged access to its mineral resources.
And Khadar Hussein Abdi said he could not rule out the possibility of also allowing Israel to set up a military presence.
Somaliland lies across the Gulf of Aden from Yemen, where Houthi rebels have often attacked Israeli assets to show solidarity with Palestinians.
Somaliland officials have said natural resources include lithium, coltan and other sought-after materials, though independent studies are lacking.