US Reaffirms Support for ‘One Somalia’ Policy, Dismisses Talks on Somaliland Recognition

WASHINGTON - The United States is not in any formal discussions geared towards recognition of the northern state of Somalia — Somaliland, despite existing calls by several stakeholders, including Texas Senator Ted Cruz, who is pushing for the agenda.

A State Department spokesperson told Fox News that there were no engagements for recognition of Somaliland, noting that the US supports the Single Somalia policy, where emphasis is put on respect towards Somalia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

"The United States recognizes the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia, which includes the territory of Somaliland. The State Department is not in active discussions with Somaliland’s representatives about a deal to recognize Somaliland as a state," the spokesperson said.

The latest confirmation is an affirmation that the US could not take the matter as thought by Cruz, a senior GOP politician who is also in charge of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He is a close ally of President Donald Trump.

Trump has been keenly following the war on terror in Somalia, and in February 2025, he personally updated the world on the operation conducted by US forces in Puntland targeting the ISIS militants. This is the first time he has made the announcement despite earlier plans of withdrawing US forces from Somalia.

In the Oval Office on Aug. 8, Trump told reporters, "We’re looking into that right now," when asked about the recognition of Somaliland and the possible resettlement of Gazans there, adding, "We’re working on that right now, Somaliland."

Earlier, Ted Cruz, the senator for Texas, told Fox News that "There is a very real opportunity that President Trump will recognize Somaliland during this administration."

Cruz added, "President Trump is bringing a new era of clarity in American national security, after four years of the Biden administration rewarding our enemies and punishing our allies, and recognizing Somaliland should be part of this new era.

"Somaliland has been a reliable ally to the United States, is integrating itself with us and our allies globally, and is committed to helping us counter efforts by China to undermine the safety and prosperity of Americans," he said.

The White House did not respond to a Fox News Digital request for comment.

The U.S. has described Somalia, with large numbers of both ISIS and al-Qaida-linked operatives, as a terrorist haven. Now the increasing presence of China and military forces from countries such as Turkey is reportedly leading some in Washington to be increasingly unhappy with its "one Somalia" policy, where Somaliland continues to be recognized only as a part of Somalia.

GAROWE ONLINE