A Republican-sponsored resolution seeking U.S. recognition of Somaliland as an independent state has been introduced in the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The proposal, H.R. 10402, submitted by Congressman Scott Perry of Pennsylvania on December 12, has sparked debate but faces steep odds of advancing in Congress.
The resolution advocates for a shift in U.S. policy to acknowledge Somaliland’s self-declared independence. Perry and his Republican allies frame Somaliland as a strategic partner in a region where China and Russia continue to expand their influence. Despite Somaliland’s record of stability since 1991, the resolution’s prospects remain uncertain due to long-standing U.S. support for a unified Somalia.
The Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, a conservative policy roadmap embraced by Trump-aligned Republicans, explicitly mentions Somaliland. The document proposes U.S. recognition of Somaliland as a strategic move to counter China’s influence in the Horn of Africa. Republican policymakers view Somaliland’s stability and governance as aligning with U.S. strategic interests in Africa.
Trump’s past criticisms of Somalia—he once referred to it as a “failed state”—have further emboldened efforts to elevate Somaliland’s case. Supporters argue that recognizing Somaliland could provide Washington with a reliable partner in an increasingly contested region.
“For over three decades, Somaliland has proven itself as a peaceful, functioning democracy,” said a senior Republican foreign policy advisor. “This resolution is a step toward rewarding that success.”
The Somali government has vehemently opposed the resolution, describing it as a threat to Somalia’s sovereignty and regional stability.
Somalia’s leaders have consistently warned that any move to recognize Somaliland could embolden separatist movements across Africa and jeopardize Somalia’s fragile progress.
Somaliland, located in northern Somalia, declared independence in 1991 after the collapse of Somalia’s central government. For over three decades, it has operated as a de facto state, with democratic elections, relative peace, and functional institutions setting it apart from the rest of Somalia. Despite these achievements, no country formally recognizes Somaliland’s sovereignty.
Somaliland officials view Perry’s resolution as a long-overdue acknowledgment of their successes and a potential turning point for their international standing.
The resolution comes as geopolitical competition intensifies in the Horn of Africa. China and Russia have deepened their regional involvement through infrastructure deals and military partnerships, heightening concerns in Washington. Somaliland’s supporters argue that recognition would give the United States a strategic advantage and counterbalance rival powers.
However, analysts warn that formal recognition would provoke strong opposition from the African Union (AU), which views such moves as a threat to the territorial integrity of its member states, including Somalia. The AU’s position is deeply rooted in Africa’s colonial history, when European powers drew arbitrary borders at the Berlin Conference of 1884-85, disregarding ethnic, tribal, and clan boundaries. These borders, though artificial, were upheld in the 1964 Cairo Declaration to maintain peace and stability across the continent.
The African Union fears that recognizing Somaliland’s independence could open a Pandora’s box of secessionist claims, encouraging separatist movements in regions like Biafra in Nigeria, Ambazonia in Cameroon, and Casamance in Senegal. Such a precedent risks destabilizing fragile states grappling with ethnic divisions, governance challenges, and territorial disputes.
Diplomatically, analysts suggest that U.S. recognition of Somaliland could strain relations with key African nations and regional bodies like the AU and IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development). African leaders may interpret such a move as a dangerous precedent undermining established norms, creating a rift in U.S.-Africa relations at a time when Washington seeks to counter growing Chinese and Russian influence on the continent.
While H.R. 10402 has brought renewed attention to Somaliland’s aspirations, its path forward remains uncertain. Historically, only about 5% of all bills introduced in Congress become law, and the odds drop to around 1-2% when the proposal involves a major policy shift, such as altering foreign recognition. Perry’s resolution, introduced with less than a month remaining in the current session of Congress, faces significant procedural challenges. The lame-duck session—a period following elections where outgoing lawmakers have diminished influence—further complicates its chances of passage.
In addition to time constraints, foreign policy initiatives of this magnitude often stall due to competing legislative priorities, particularly during the end-of-year period when Congress focuses on critical budget approvals and must-pass bills. Analysts suggest Perry’s resolution is unlikely to progress beyond committee review.
It is not the first time Congressman Perry has advocated for Somaliland’s recognition. In March 2022, he introduced the “Republic of Somaliland Independence Act” (H.R. 7170), which authorized the President to recognize Somaliland as a separate, independent country. Like the current resolution, H.R. 7170 was referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs but did not advance further.
