US State Department: Somaliland is part of Somalia

The US State Department says Somaliland is part of a US policy toward Somalia.

The statement came as Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi was visiting Washington, at the invitation of the Heritage Foundation.

“We welcome the opportunity to meet today with Muse Bihi Abdi to discuss strengthening US engagement with Somaliland in line with our common policy toward Somalia,” the US Assistant Secretary of State of African affairs Molly Phee said in a tweet.

Welcomed the opportunity to meet @musabiihi today and discuss strengthening U.S. engagement with Somaliland within the framework of our single Somalia policy.

— Bureau of African Affairs (@AsstSecStateAF) March 14, 2022

Meanwhile, US Ambassador to Somalia Larry André said yesterday that Somaliland President Muse Bihi’s visit to Washington would not change his government’s stance on Somalia.

André, in an exclusive interview with a Somali media outlet, said that while Washington respects Somaliland’s achievements, it still considers it a federal state of Somalia.

“We respect the achievements of the Somaliland region, in terms of democracy, economic development and security. We are working with the Somaliland authorities on our common goals, just as we are working with other federal administrations, ”he added.

The Ambassador reaffirmed the unity of Somalia and the commitment of the United States Government.

“The United States recognizes the independence and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia within its historic borders, including Somaliland,” he said.

“We see the question of Somaliland’s status as a matter for the Somali people, including Somaliland, to decide.”