Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Irro) met with U.S. Senator Ted Cruz—a supporter of the Somaliland cause—at the Capitol in Washington, D.C.
According to a statement from the Somaliland Presidential Spokesperson, the meeting addressed issues regarding Somaliland’s recognition, relations between Somaliland and the United States, and opportunities for cooperation in security, the economy, and regional stability.
The meeting also touched upon Somaliland’s geostrategic importance and its role in the security of the Horn of Africa, the Gulf of Aden, and the Red Sea, the statement noted.
The Presidential Spokesperson stated that President Irro expressed thanks to Senator Cruz for his past stances regarding Somaliland and for advocating for the issue within U.S. political circles.
Senator Ted Cruz has previously spoken on the issue of Somaliland’s recognition. In August 2025, he called on the administration of President Donald Trump to recognize Somaliland as an independent nation, citing U.S. security and strategic interests as the basis for his position. According to the statement, President Irro expressed Somaliland’s desire for a relationship with the United States based on mutual interests, cooperation, and shared responsibility, rather than on aid or dependency.
This meeting was part of a series of engagements President Irro and his delegation are holding in Washington, as the Somaliland government conducts meetings with American politicians and officials.
Somaliland Presidential Spokesperson Hussein Adan Ige (Deyr) stated that the delegation would continue its diplomatic meetings in Washington, D.C., which are focused on discussing Somaliland’s interests and position.
