Washington, D.C., (HornPost) Somaliland president Irro arrived in the US for meetings with US officials & international leaders and maybe even a low-key UN appearance as part of another country’s delegation…read more about it;
Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro and the delegation accompanying him have arrived in Washington, D.C., for an official working visit to the United States.
The delegation was received at Dulles International Airport by Somaliland government officials led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who had arrived earlier, as well as members of the Somaliland diaspora and other diplomats.
President Irro is expected to remain in the United States for nearly a month. During his visit, he is expected to hold meetings with senior U.S. officials and other international leaders and diplomats who will be in the United States for the United Nations General Assembly (which starts on September 8th).
UN general assembly
It is an ideal moment to meet many world leaders in one place as it is custom for world leaders to have many side meetings with other world leaders during the UN general assembly which starts on September 8th.
While Somaliland as a non Un member would on its own not be allowed at UN headquarters in New York, it can get access if a UN member invites him and some team members as guest delegation members, members like the US, Israel or UAE could do that.
It would give the president and a small team access to the UN delegates lounge (perfect place for unplanned encounters and short talks between world leaders), or to closed side events and bilateral meeting rooms. Also, the Somaliland delegation can meet with international figures outside the Un building.
Likely he would avoid the main general assembly hall or plenary area to avoid a diplomatic scene if Somalia delegates spot him. Though UN rules allow his presence as part of another country’s delegation and being present on UN grounds does give the benefit his team (wearing the friendly nation’s badge) can scout the lounges first.
Once they spot a target leader or a sympathetic foreign minister who is standing alone, they approach them, make the soft pitch, and say, “Our President is just around the corner and would love to say hello for two minutes.” If the leader agrees, the President is brought in for a quick chat, in which the president can try to pitch Somaliland ‘s case and lobby for follow up talks.
First working trip to the USA
The visit is his first official working trip to the United States since taking office. The visit comes at an important stage in Somaliland’s diplomatic campaign, with Hargeisa seeking to deepen its relations with Washington in the areas of diplomacy, security, economic cooperation and investment, while also advancing its international recognition efforts.
It also comes after several high level diplomatic and military US delegations visiting Somaliland in 2025 and 2026.
It also builds on the work of several Us lawmakers like Us senator Ted Cruz, representatives Scott Perry, Tom Tiffany, Andy Ogles and senator Jim Risch who have advocated for diplomatic recognition in congress.
Us interests would likely be in the areas of maritime security, Us military base options (due to complication in Djibouti) and economic cooperation.
Somaliland’s interest would likely be in areas of economic cooperation, access to global financial platforms, security cooperation and most importantly diplomatic recognition.
Realistic expectations
While sometimes countries can move quite fast like Israel on recognition, more likely is the path of the UAE who has gradually built cooperation with Somaliland in the areas of trade, development, security and other areas.
Given the fact a very recent Us State department report noted both strategic advantages and opportunities Somaliland has to offer it also emphasized, it also stated the US is still only recognizing Somalia
So, I expect for now maybe a first agreement or mou on maritime security cooperation, maybe an mou to explore feasibility of a Us base in Somaliland or maybe a direct agreement for a Us base in Somaliland. And perhaps on exploring critical resources mining and processing as a core us interest abroad is securing critical resources.
Don’t see that as a failure, on the contrary any such agreement would already be a major win. See them as steppingstones towards recognition which I expect not now but near the end of Trump’s term. As interests and cooperation grow over time that will be a logical point to reach in some years.
By Brian McDonald B.
Geopolitical and Defense Analyst
On X Account https://x.com/iamBrianBJ/status/2096254281737282003?s=20
