Somaliland’s newly elected President, Abdirahman Irro, and his delegation are set to return home tomorrow after their visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The trip, which lasted several days, was seen as an important step in Somaliland’s diplomatic efforts as the new government begins to establish its foreign relations.
During his stay in the UAE, President Irro reportedly met with senior officials from Israel’s Ministry of Defense in Abu Dhabi. According to sources, their discussions focused on the possibility of Somaliland leasing the Berbera military base to Israel. The base, located on Somaliland’s coastline along the Red Sea, is considered highly strategic, and there has been growing international interest in its potential use for military and security purposes.
While no official agreements have been confirmed, insiders suggest that President Irro did not reject the idea outright. However, details remain unclear, and it is uncertain whether further negotiations will take place. Some analysts believe that if such a deal were to move forward, it could also involve the UAE and the United States, both of whom have strong interests in regional security.
The trip has raised many questions, but for now, there are no clear answers. The government has yet to make an official statement about the discussions, leaving Somalilanders eager to hear what the President has to say upon his return. Many are wondering whether this visit was simply a diplomatic introduction or if it could lead to major foreign policy decisions in the near future.
For now, Somalilanders will be watching closely, waiting to see how their new leader navigates the country’s relationships with global powers and what that means for the nation’s future.