MOGADISHU, Somalia – Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has offered U.S. counterpart Donald Trump “exclusive operational control” of two key airbases and two major ports in a bid to strengthen military and logistical ties between the two nations.
In a letter dated March 16, obtained by Semafor, Mohamud proposed granting the U.S. military access to the Balidogle and Berbera airbases, as well as the Port of Berbera and Bosaso. The move aims to enhance American influence in the Horn of Africa while countering rival powers in the region.
“These strategically positioned assets provide an opportunity to bolster American engagement in the region, ensuring uninterrupted military and logistical access while preventing external competitors from establishing a presence in this critical corridor,” Mohamud wrote.
Strategic Importance
The Balidogle airbase, located 90 kilometers west of Mogadishu, already hosts a small contingent of U.S. forces training Somali troops.
Berbera airbase, situated in the breakaway region Somaliland, has historical significance, having been used by both Somali and U.S. forces during the Cold War.
The ports of Berbera and Bosaso sit along the Gulf of Aden, a vital maritime route near Yemen and the Red Sea. Berbera has seen investment from the UAE’s DP World, while Bosaso was previously managed by DP World subsidiary P&O Ports.
Reviving Cold War-Era Partnership
Mohamud referenced Somalia’s past military cooperation with the U.S., recalling a 1980s agreement under President Ronald Reagan that allowed American forces to use Mogadishu, Kismayo, and Berbera airports.
“Under your administration, the United States has reinforced its leadership in advancing security and global stability,” Mohamud wrote, urging deeper collaboration in the Horn of Africa.
The Somali president invited Trump to send a delegation to Mogadishu to discuss the proposal further. The offer comes amid shifting geopolitical dynamics in the region, where the U.S. competes with China, Russia, and Middle Eastern powers for strategic influence.
