General Michael E. Langley, Commander of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), is set to visit Somaliland in the coming days, according to sources familiar with the matter. This significant development comes amid a notable shift in U.S. foreign policy dynamics and escalating Chinese pressure in the Horn of Africa.
With Republican control of both houses of Congress and growing bipartisan support for a shift in U.S. policy, Washington’s long-held “One-Somalia” policy appears increasingly unsustainable. This high-level visit, following U.S. Ambassador Richard Riley’s attendance at President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi “Cirro’s” inauguration, suggests the traditionally rigid U.S. foreign policy establishment may be adapting to new political realities that favor a more independent Somaliland.
The strategic recalibration takes on added urgency as Somaliland stands as the only African nation that has resisted Chinese overtures despite lacking international recognition, maintaining its diplomatic ties with Taiwan in the face of mounting pressure from Beijing. China’s Special Envoy to the Horn of Africa, Xue Bing, recently issued a stark warning, declaring, “We will not leave them alone if anyone dares to do anything to sabotage the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of China.”
This threatening stance, following the attendance of Taiwan’s Deputy Foreign Minister at President Cirro’s inauguration, has only heightened the strategic importance of U.S.-Somaliland relations. These developments, coupled with strong Republican congressional backing for Somaliland recognition, signal a potential seismic shift in U.S. engagement with the Horn of Africa.
Recent reports suggest renovation work is already underway at former military facilities in Berbera, with satellite imagery showing a major renovation ongoing at Berbera Airport. The timing of these developments, alongside strategic recommendations and Republican control of Congress, suggests a coordinated effort to establish facts on the ground ahead of possible policy changes.
The modernized Berbera Port and its adjacent international airport represent crucial strategic assets as the U.S. seeks to secure its interests near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical maritime chokepoint where Chinese influence has been steadily growing.
With Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti facing increasing operational constraints and strategic competition from China’s first overseas military installation in its immediate vicinity, Berbera’s infrastructure complex emerges as a critical force multiplier for U.S. power projection in the Horn of Africa.
The deep-water port and airfield configuration offer an optimal forward operating base for rapid deployment capabilities, with strategic reach extending across multiple areas of operation (AOs) – from Al-Shabaab strongholds in Somalia to Houthi positions threatening maritime chokepoints. This dual-use facility provides essential strategic depth for counterterrorism operations, offering reduced time-on-target for kinetic responses and enhanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) coverage across the theater of operations.
Berbera’s geographic positioning enables both over-the-horizon strike capabilities and sustained forward presence in the contested Red Sea corridor, while its modernized port infrastructure supports the full spectrum of maritime interdiction operations. As a potential joint operating base, Berbera would significantly enhance AFRICOM’s operational flexibility and combat power distribution across the region’s most volatile flashpoints.
Langley’s diplomatic mission follows a carefully orchestrated series of U.S. military visits and assessments in Somaliland, now perhaps accelerated by shifting political winds in Washington. His predecessor, General Stephen Townsend, conducted a detailed evaluation of Berbera facilities in May 2022, accompanied by then-Ambassador Larry André.
Their inspection of the port and airport infrastructure suggested growing U.S. interest in establishing a military footprint in the region. Subsequently, in January 2023, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) dispatched a delegation to evaluate Berbera’s capabilities for the U.S.-led Justified Accord military exercise.
The evolving dynamics in Somaliland’s international relationships add another layer of significance to Langley’s visit. President Cirro, who had initially questioned the wisdom of prioritizing bilateral ties with Taiwan over potential relations with China during his campaign, has since demonstrated a firm commitment to Somaliland’s existing partnerships. This evolution from campaign rhetoric to governance pragmatism reflects a growing recognition of fundamental incompatibilities between Somaliland’s democratic aspirations and Beijing’s regional ambitions.
Somaliland government officials have in the past, shown enthusiasm for hosting U.S. military facilities. While formal diplomatic recognition remains a key objective for Somaliland, the convergence of military strategic interests, Republican control of Congress, and growing bipartisan support for a stronger stance against Chinese expansion creates conditions for a historic shift in U.S. policy. The potential establishment of a U.S. military presence in Berbera, coupled with possible recognition under a new administration, could fundamentally reshape the balance of power in one of the world’s most strategically contested maritime corridors.
