Somaliland is willing to give the United States access to its minerals and military bases, a minister told AFP in an interview Saturday, as the breakaway region of Somalia seeks international recognition.

Israel became the only country in the world to recognize Somaliland’s independence in December — something the territory has been seeking since declaring its autonomy from Somalia in 1991.

The government in Mogadishu still considers Somaliland an integral part of Somalia even though the territory has run its own affairs since 1991, with its own passport, currency, army and police forces.

“We are willing to give exclusive [access to our minerals] to the United States,” Khadar Hussein Abdi, minister of the presidency, told AFP in an interview on Saturday.

“Also, we are open to offer military bases to the United States,” he said.

“We believe that we will agree on something with the United States,” the minister added. He also would not rule out the possibility of also allowing Israel to set up a military presence.

Earlier this month, Somaliland president Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi said that the country expects to reach a trade agreement soon with Jerusalem, and is willing to offer rights to valuable mineral deposits as part of a deal.

Somaliland officials have said natural resources include lithium, coltan and other sought-after materials critical for batteries and electric vehicles, though independent studies are lacking.

Abdullahi said that while no bilateral economic deal with Israel had yet been reached, the two governments were likely to sign “a partnership agreement.”

“Somaliland is a very rich country in resources — minerals, oil, gas, marine, in agriculture, energy and other sectors… We have meat, we have fish, we have minerals and they [Israel] need them. So trade can start from these main sectors,” he said. “The sky is the limit.”

He said in return Somaliland would seek access to Israeli technology.

Abdullahi also said he has a good working relationship with Washington and believes US President Donald Trump will “someday” recognize Somaliland.

If so, we have a request. 

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Israel-Somaliland relations

US-Somaliland relations

Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi

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