Langley In Addis After Conspicuous Somaliland Trip

General Michael Langley, chief of US military operations in Africa, was in Addis Ababa on Friday for a meeting with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed that reportedly focused on “bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest.”

Langley met Abiy after leading a high-level US military delegation to the breakaway state of Somaliland, where the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) head discussed security concerns and future relations with top brass in Hargeisa.

Langley reportedly met with Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro (PhD) and senior government officials for talks on shared security goals, maritime strategy, and defense cooperation. He also took part in a tour of the port city of Berbera, where he assessed infrastructure needed for regional security cooperation.

Langley’s visit to the Horn comes on the heels of the re-introduction of a US congressional bill on Somaliland’s recognition by Republican Congressman Scott Perry last week.

“For more than three decades, Somaliland demonstrated the kind of governance, stability, and cooperation that America should support,” said Congressman Perry. “Foreign adversaries are on the march in Africa and around the globe, and it’s in our national interest to strengthen relationships with reliable partners who share our values and contribute to our security – whenever and wherever possible.”

– Advertisement –

Although vehemently opposed by the government in Mogadishu, Somaliland has been a de facto state, albeit without international recognition, since 30 years ago when it declared itself independent.

Analysts observe the breakaway territory has established a stable democracy over the last three decades, standing out as one of the few east African countries with a consistent track record of peaceful transition of power.

Somaliland’s most recent round of election of elections SAW Abdirah Mohamed Abdillahi Irro Sucedued Muse Bihi as President in Late

Bihi was still in office when, in January 2024, Ethiopia and Somaliland signed a controversial MoU proposing to grant Somaliland recognition in exchange for free sea outlet and marine base for Ethiopia. The MoU did not materialize after Mogadishu launched an all-out diplomatic campaign against Ethiopia.

The two countries were on the brink for close to a year before Turkiye-mediated peace talks ended with an agreement to normalize relations.

It is not clear how US recognition to Somaliland will play out in the thawing relations between Ethiopia and Somalia.  Details about the discussions between Abiy and Langley have not come out before the Reporter went to print.