In brief
- Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdilahi (Irro) said on Sunday that Somalia does not rule Berbera and cannot reach an agreement with a foreign country to use the port.
- The remarks, reported by Somaliland Standard on March 30, were a response to a letter from Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to the US President.
- No evidence exists that Somalia and the US have signed any agreement, and no US or Somali government response has been reported since the article.
On March 30, 2025, Somaliland Standard reported that Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdilahi (Irro) said Somalia does not rule Berbera and cannot reach an agreement with a foreign country to use Berbera port.
The remarks were made on Sunday in response to a letter from Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, according to the report. Irro said the Somali Federal Government is not in full control of Mogadishu.
Irro is quoted as saying: "It is a surprise the news we heard from the Somali President. While he cannot rule Mogadishu, he is trying to enter into agreement with U.S. to use the port of Berbera. He wrote a letter to U.S. President."
The report does not establish that any agreement between Somalia and the United States exists. It describes only a reported request by the Somali President, with no primary source for the letter itself. The article also does not indicate whether the U.S. has responded to the request or to Somaliland's objection.
Somaliland Standard reported that Irro said a democratically elected government is in power in Somaliland and that Hassan Sheikh does not rule Somaliland but governs Mogadishu.
No developments after March 30, 2025, regarding the status of the request or any formal reactions from the Somali government were included in the report.
Frequently asked questions
What agreement is being referred to?
A reported letter from Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to the U.S. President seeking an agreement to use Berbera port. No agreement is documented.
What is Somaliland's position?
Somaliland President Irro says Somalia does not rule Berbera and cannot enter into an agreement with a foreign country to use the port.
What are the implications for Berbera port operations and expansion?
The report does not provide information on operational or expansion impacts. It only records political statements opposing any Somali-U.S. agreement over the port.