NEW YORK (SD)— Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi “Irro” has urged U.S. President Donald Trump to formally recognize Somaliland as an independent country, saying the American leader could make history by extending recognition and establishing a closer strategic partnership with Hargeisa.

In an exclusive interview with Breitbart News on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Irro described Trump as a “great man” and said he could “make more history” by recognizing Somaliland. He argued that Somaliland could serve as a partner for the United States in counterterrorism, anti-piracy operations, maritime security and the protection of international trade routes.

Irro highlighted the strategic importance of Berbera, Somaliland’s major port on the Gulf of Aden, describing it as a potential logistics and trade hub connecting international markets with Ethiopia and other landlocked parts of Africa. He said demand for the port was increasing as shipping companies considered security conditions along regional maritime routes.

The president said his recent U.S. visit included meetings with members of Congress, senators, officials from several federal departments and policy institutions. Although Washington had not announced formal recognition, he described the engagement as productive and expressed hope that bilateral relations would advance. He said Somaliland was seeking partnership in trade, investment and security rather than foreign aid.

Irro also pointed to Somaliland’s strategic position near Yemen and key shipping lanes connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and the wider Indian Ocean. He said Somaliland was prepared to deepen cooperation with Washington on counterterrorism, maritime security and economic development, arguing that its geographic position and port infrastructure could serve broader regional interests.

Israel’s recognition of Somaliland in December 2025 was another major theme of the interview. Irro described the decision as an “icebreaker” that had brought greater international attention to Somaliland’s statehood campaign. According to the Israeli Knesset, Israel became the first country to formally recognize Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state.

The interview also addressed Gaza. Irro said Somaliland was willing to contribute 2,000 peacekeepers to efforts associated with Trump’s proposed post-war arrangements. The proposal was presented as an offer to participate, not as an announced deployment or a confirmed commitment accepted by the relevant parties.

Irro’s appeal reflects Somaliland’s effort to make the case for recognition in terms of strategic cooperation as well as self-determination. Berbera’s location near the Bab el-Mandeb and Gulf of Aden shipping corridors, together with Somaliland’s potential role in regional trade and security, forms a central part of Hargeisa’s argument for closer U.S. engagement.

However, the president’s positive assessment of his meetings could mean Washington is moving toward informal ties. The Trump administration has not formally recognized Somaliland, and any change in U.S. policy would carry diplomatic implications for relations with Somalia and other regional partners. Somaliland’s challenge is to translate political access and strategic proposals into concrete policy support while navigating the competing interests surrounding the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea.