STUTTGART (SD) – A high-level Somaliland delegation led by Defense Minister Mohamed Yusuf Ali held talks with officials at the headquarters of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) in Stuttgart, Germany, focusing on defense cooperation, maritime security, and regional stability.

According to Somaliland’s Ministry of Defense, the delegation included Coast Guard Commander Admiral Ahmed Hurre Hariye, Senior Advisor Farah Ahmed Habush, and academic Abdiasis Ahmed.

The ministry said discussions centered on strengthening the strategic partnership between Somaliland and the United States, with particular emphasis on expanding defense cooperation and enhancing the capabilities of Somaliland’s military and security institutions.

The two sides also discussed security challenges in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Red Sea, where increasing regional instability has heightened concerns over the protection of international shipping lanes and global trade.

Officials exchanged views on improving maritime security, strengthening regional peace, and enhancing the operational readiness of security institutions to respond to evolving threats across the Horn of Africa.

The meeting with AFRICOM represents another indication of Somaliland’s growing engagement with key international security partners, despite its lack of widespread international recognition. For Hargeisa, direct discussions with one of the United States’ most important military commands reinforce Somaliland’s argument that it is increasingly viewed as a reliable security partner because of its stability and strategic location.

Maritime security has become one of Somaliland’s strongest diplomatic assets. With Berbera located near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait—one of the world’s most vital maritime chokepoints—Somaliland continues to position itself as a valuable contributor to efforts protecting international trade and countering piracy, terrorism, and other maritime threats.

The talks also align with Somaliland’s broader strategy of expanding practical international partnerships in defense, security, and regional stability. Even in the absence of universal diplomatic recognition, such engagements strengthen Somaliland’s international profile and support Hargeisa’s argument that its role in regional security is increasingly difficult for major powers to overlook.