Somaliland’s President Calls Donald Trump a ‘Great Man’ and Urges U.S. Recognition After Israel’s Endorsement

New York, Oct. 11 — While the United Nations General Assembly buzzed with speeches about climate and security, I managed to snag a quiet corner in a Manhattan hotel suite and sit down with Somaliland’s president, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi – the man who’s widely known as “Irro.” He spoke candidly, almost like a friend sharing a vision over coffee.

“President Trump is a great man,” Irro said, eyes bright. “He’s already made history, and he could make even more by officially recognizing Somaliland.” He wasn’t being vague; he meant a formal, diplomatic acknowledgment that would move Somaliland from “partially recognized” to fully sovereign in the eyes of Washington.

Somaliland, a self‑declared nation tucked inside Somalia’s borders, has spent years trying to break free from the corruption, terrorism and piracy that have plagued its neighbor. In late 2025, Israel became the first country to extend official recognition – a move Irro highlighted as a game‑changer.

“Israel opened the door,” he explained, “and now we’re knocking on the U.S. door. If Trump says ‘yes,’ it would cement a partnership that already exists on anti‑piracy patrols, counter‑terrorism drills, and trade.” He went on to describe the bustling port of Berbera, noting how major shipping lines reroute cargo there for security reasons.

“Berbera’s location is strategic,” Irro said, a slight pause in his voice. “Because of the war in the Horn of Africa, some of the world’s largest carriers now use our port as a safe hub. The demand is growing, and we can handle massive containers.” He added that the port could serve landlocked neighbors like Ethiopia, a nation of roughly 130 million people, turning Somaliland into a logistical corridor for East and Central Africa.

Irro also ventured into an unexpected arena: the Nobel Peace Prize. “I may be the first African leader to publicly suggest President Trump for a Nobel,” he chuckled, then grew serious. “He’s helped end long‑standing conflicts, even the DRC‑Rwanda stalemate. That’s the kind of leadership the world needs.”

The president’s week in the United States, he said, was “productive.” He met with senators, congressmen, officials from the State Department, Defense, Energy and Treasury, and even addressed a gathering at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York. “We didn’t get formal recognition this time,” he admitted, “but the level of engagement feels encouraging. We’re satisfied for now, and we’ll keep pushing.”

He painted a broader picture of why Somaliland matters to Washington. “The U.S. has used our ports before – even the Russians did,” he recalled. “Now, with rising tensions around the Red Sea, Yemen’s Houthis, and Iran’s posture in the Strait of Hormuz, our waters are more critical than ever for global trade.”

On the economic front, Irro highlighted the influx of capital into Africa. “Around $400 billion is flowing into the continent,” he noted, “and Africa holds the world’s richest reserves of minerals, energy, and agriculture. Somaliland can be a gateway for that wealth.”

In the end, the message was clear: a nod from Trump could cement a partnership that already works on the ground, while also sending a symbolic signal to the world that Somaliland’s bid for full statehood is serious business. Whether the U.S. will act remains to be seen, but Irro left the interview hopeful, perhaps a little restless, and definitely convinced that “great men” make history – if they choose to.