In the quest for international recognition, Somaliland’s strongest asset may no longer be just
its democratic credentials or historical case — but geography. The Port of Berbera has
emerged as a strategic linchpin in the Red Sea corridor, drawing the attention of regional
powers and global actors alike. As global rivalries heat up and African states reconfigure their
alliances, Berbera could be Somaliland’s best argument for formal statehood.
Berbera, the Red Sea’s overlooked power node, situated on the southern shores of the Red
Sea. It overlooks one of the world’s busiest maritime choke points: the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
This passage connects the Indian Ocean to the Suez Canal and Mediterranean Sea — making
it critical to global trade and energy flows. Berbera offers:- deep-water port less congested
than Djibouti; Proximity to Ethiopia, a landlocked giant of 120 million people; Strategic air
and naval potential for counterterrorism, surveillance, and commercial control
For Ethiopia, Berbera provides a viable alternative to its dependence on Djibouti, and for
global powers, it offers a window into the geopolitics of the Horn — away from fragile Somali
politics.
Additionally, foreign investment is also a vote of confidence. The entry of the UAE’s DP World
into Berbera is more than an infrastructure deal. It signals international confidence in
Somaliland’s political stability, legal system, and capacity to host long-term investments. The
Berbera corridor — a road project linking the port to Ethiopia’s border — enhances the
region’s economic connectivity. This is not just about trade. It is about narrative: Somaliland
is positioning itself not as a breakaway region, but as a responsible and stable partner in a
volatile region.
Somaliland has been the great powers’ gaze. The United States has shown renewed interest
in the Horn of Africa. As China deepens its footprint in Djibouti and beyond, Washington is
quietly exploring alternatives. Berbera is emerging as a potential security partner — one with
a stable government, pro-Western posture, and a track record of counterterrorism
cooperation.
Ethiopia, too, has shifted gears. In January 2024, it signed a Memorandum of Understanding
with Somaliland for sea access via Berbera —a bold move that de facto recognizes Somaliland
as a sovereign negotiating partner. Though it sparked diplomatic uproar in Mogadishu, it
marked a turning point. Meanwhile, the UAE has established a military base in Berbera,
enhancing its maritime reach along the Red Sea. This growing triangulation — Ethiopia, UAE,
and potentially the US — places Berbera at the center of strategic convergence.
While international recognition remains politically elusive, the logic of geopolitics is catching
up. States don’t recognize out of sympathy — they do so when interests align.
Berbera is increasingly making the case that Somaliland’s sovereignty serves regional
stability and global trade. If managed carefully, this strategic relevance could unlock
diplomatic doors long closed.
Somaliland must act with calculated urgency. As international focus drifts from symbolic
gestures to concrete partnerships, Berbera is the card Somaliland must play — boldly and
wisely. Infrastructure is being built. Agreements are being signed. But what matters most is
how Somaliland uses this momentum to win not only port contracts, but political legitimacy.
Recognition, like politics, is ultimately a game of leverage. Berbera may just be Somaliland’s
winning hand.
Independent Article written by : Ali Dirie Maalintacab – Somalilander, Lawyer and Political Analyst in Hargeisa Somaliland