WASHINGTON (SD) – The U.S. representative, Scott Perry, has presented a new bill to Congress advocating for the recognition of the Republic of Somaliland as an independent country. Bill 10402 underscores Somaliland’s decades-long stability, commitment to democracy, and strategic importance in the Horn of Africa as the main reasons for U.S. recognition.

The bill represents a significant step in advancing Somaliland’s two-decade-long quest for international recognition, highlighting its stability in a region often fraught with turmoil.

The bill proposes that the U.S. officially recognize Somaliland as an independent and separate country from Somalia. It also calls for the establishment of a U.S. diplomatic presence in Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland, through an embassy or consulate.

Somaliland’s strategic location near key maritime routes, along with its potential as a crucial partner in counterterrorism, trade, and regional stability, is emphasized. The bill also acknowledges Somaliland’s consistent record of peaceful elections and commitment to democratic governance since declaring its reclaimed independence in 1991.