Former U.S. Ambassador to Somalia, Larry Andre, has called on Washington to proceed with great caution when considering the question of recognizing Somaliland. His remarks come at a time when voices within the United States are growing louder in support of granting full independence to the Hargeisa administration.
Andre warned that the Horn of Africa is already in a highly fragile state, marked by conflicts and internal disputes, and that any rushed decision on Somaliland could destabilize the region and undermine Somalia’s future.
He advised that Washington should avoid unilateral moves and instead pursue broad consultations with neighboring countries such as Ethiopia, Kenya, Djibouti, and Uganda, as well as the African Union leadership, to ensure that any decision made does not harm regional stability.
The diplomat outlined three possible paths the U.S. could take:
- Maintain the status quo, keeping policy unchanged.
- Open a diplomatic office in Hargeisa while maintaining its embassy in Mogadishu.
- Formally recognize Somaliland’s independence.
However, Andre made it clear that his preferred option is the middle ground — opening a U.S. office in Hargeisa while still engaging Mogadishu. This, he argued, would ease diplomatic engagement with both sides and encourage Hargeisa and Mogadishu to resume direct talks toward a political settlement.
He particularly cautioned that unilateral recognition of Somaliland by Washington could damage U.S. relations with Somalis who support national unity and could further inflame clan-based tensions, which remain a sensitive fault line in the region.
On Somaliland’s internal situation, Andre acknowledged that Hargeisa enjoys relatively better governance and security compared to other parts of Somalia. Still, he stressed that this does not erase the fact that Somaliland’s status requires a lasting and broadly accepted solution. He also noted that Puntland has achieved comparable stability and progress while remaining within the federal framework of Somalia.
Finally, the former U.S. envoy emphasized that the success of Somalia — and the Horn of Africa as a whole — hinges on two critical challenges: advancing reconciliation and resolving the Somaliland question, and liberating areas still under Al-Shabaab control. He concluded by wishing the Somali people peace, stability, and progress in the near future.
