Somaliland occupies a strategically significant position on the southern side of the Gulf of Aden. The nearby Bab el-Mandeb connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and serves as an important route for international shipping between Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Continued insecurity in Yemen and attacks affecting commercial shipping have increased international attention on maritime security in the region.
At the centre of Somaliland’s strategic value is Berbera Port. The port has undergone major development under DP World and is being positioned as a regional logistics and trade hub. Its location provides access to Somaliland and neighbouring markets, particularly Ethiopia, while the Berbera Corridor has been developed to connect the port with inland markets.
Berbera’s importance, however, should not be confused with Western military dependence. The wider Horn of Africa already hosts major international military and logistical facilities, particularly in Djibouti. The United States, France, China, Japan and other countries have established military or security infrastructure there. Consequently, Berbera represents an additional strategic and commercial option rather than an irreplaceable Western asset.
The political status of Somaliland is another important factor. Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but has not received broad international recognition. The African Union and European Union have continued to emphasize Somalia’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity while supporting dialogue between Mogadishu and Hargeisa.
For Western governments, therefore, cooperation with Somaliland does not necessarily require recognition of its independence. Economic investment, maritime security cooperation and diplomatic engagement can potentially take place without changing formal positions on Somalia’s territorial status.
The strategic equation also involves wider regional interests. Ethiopia’s dependence on external trade routes, instability in Yemen, security around the Red Sea, Gulf-state investments and international efforts to protect commercial shipping all contribute to the importance of the Horn of Africa.
This means Somaliland’s value to Western countries is better understood as strategic potential rather than strategic indispensability. Its geography is significant, Berbera is developing into an important regional port, and its proximity to the Bab el-Mandeb gives it relevance to maritime-security discussions.
At the same time, geographical importance alone does not determine foreign policy. Western governments must balance their interests in Somaliland with relations with Somalia’s Federal Government, the position of the African Union, regional stability and broader diplomatic considerations.
Ultimately, describing Somaliland as either “strategically useless” or indispensable oversimplifies the issue. Its location and infrastructure provide genuine strategic and commercial advantages, but those advantages exist within a complex regional environment. The key question for Western governments is not simply whether Somaliland is useful, but how its strategic potential can be engaged while managing the wider political and security consequences.
