US Lawmakers Urge Somaliland Office to Counter China’s Influence in Africa – Africa.com
The U.S. House Select Committee on the Communist Party of China has urged the State Department to open a representative office in Somaliland, citing strategic interests in countering China’s growing influence in the Horn of Africa. In a letter to outgoing Secretary of State Antony Blinken, committee chairman John Mueller emphasized the importance of U.S. engagement with Somaliland to prevent China from solidifying control over key areas such as the Red Sea. Although Somaliland is not internationally recognized, countries such as the United Kingdom, Denmark and Taiwan have offices in its capital, Hargeisa. Analysts believe the subcommittee’s proposals mark a shift in U.S. policy to align interests in the Horn of Africa region with broader Sino-U.S. competition. Meanwhile, Somaliland citizens are hoping the Trump administration will further advance its goal of international recognition, especially since some of his advisers have expressed a willingness to consider it.
source: traffic light
