Somalia Offers U.S. Control Over Key Bases, But Federal Disputes and Regional Resistance Raise Tensions

MOGADISHU, Somalia - A confidential letter from Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to U.S. President Donald Trump has revealed Mogadishu’s offer to grant Washington exclusive operational control over strategic military airbases and ports — a move intended to deepen U.S.-Somali cooperation but already stirring political unease at home.

Dated March 16, 2025, the letter proposes American control of Balidogle and Berbera airbases, along with the ports of Berbera and Bosaso. Balidogle is located in southern Somalia and serves as a base for U.S.-trained Danab Special Forces. Berbera lies in the self-declared republic of Somaliland, while Bosaso is in Puntland, a federal member state.

“These strategically positioned assets provide an opportunity to bolster American engagement in the region, ensuring uninterrupted military and logistical access while preventing external competitors from establishing a presence in this critical corridor,” wrote President Hassan Sheikh.

Puntland Quiet, But Expected to Reject

While Puntland authorities have yet to issue an official response, sources close to the regional leadership suggest that Garowe will not accept the inclusion of Bosaso in any foreign military or strategic deal brokered solely by the federal government. Puntland has long maintained that Somalia’s provisional constitution prohibits Mogadishu from unilaterally making decisions on assets located within federal states.

Tensions between Puntland and the federal government have remained high for more than two years, largely due to unresolved constitutional disputes and growing dissatisfaction with President Hassan Sheikh’s approach to the federal system. Puntland recently declared a more autonomous administrative stance, accusing the federal government of centralizing power at the expense of constitutional balance.

Somaliland Outright Rejects

Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and is still seeking international recognition, quickly dismissed the letter. Somaliland’s Foreign Minister Abdirahman Dahir labelled the move “desperate and misguided,” stating that Mogadishu has no authority over Berbera.

“This is a clear sign of a regime on its last breath. No action from Somalia will derail our path to recognition,” Dahir said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Berbera Port is already under development through a long-term concession agreement with DP World, a UAE-based logistics company. Meanwhile, DP World’s subsidiary P&O Ports was previously involved in efforts to develop Bosaso port in Puntland in 2019.

Legal and Sovereignty Issues

Constitutional experts argue that President Hassan Sheikh’s offer has no legal basis without the consultation and consent of relevant federal states. Under the provisional constitution, control over land, ports, and security cooperation falls under the shared jurisdiction of the federal and state governments — a reality that Mogadishu’s recent move appears to sidestep.

The letter refers to the Cold War-era partnership between Somalia and the United States, during which Somalia granted the U.S. access to strategic sites such as Berbera, Kismayo, and Mogadishu. However, analysts warn that today’s political context is far more fragmented, and centralized offers like this one may only deepen internal divisions.

Geopolitical Calculations

President Hassan Sheikh’s outreach comes as the United States seeks to counter growing Chinese and Russian influence in the Horn of Africa. While the U.S. maintains a significant military base in Djibouti, expanded access along Somalia’s long coastline could prove critical to broader regional strategy.

In his letter, the Somali president praised Washington’s role in promoting global security and suggested that both countries could benefit from “renewed collaboration in the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea, and beyond.”

He requested that President Trump send a delegation to Mogadishu “at a time of mutual convenience” to discuss the proposal further.

Security and Symbolism

The timing of the letter is also symbolic. Somalia remains locked in a deadly war with Al-Shabaab, with the U.S. playing a central role in air and intelligence operations. Earlier this year, Trump authorized airstrikes against ISIS cells in Puntland. However, offering strategic locations in federal member states without their consent risks undermining the unity needed in the ongoing fight against terrorism.

For now, Puntland’s silence speaks volumes. A firm rejection appears imminent — one that could reignite constitutional disputes and reshape the political landscape in Somalia once again.

GAROWE ONLINE