By Asha Elmi - Reporter
Somalia, 19 September 2025 – Somalia’s State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ali Omar, announced that he met with U.S. Senator Ted Cruz to discuss strengthening cooperation between Somalia and the United States in the fight against terrorism and efforts to promote stability across the Horn of Africa.
In a statement shared on his official X account, Omar highlighted Somalia’s “pivotal role” in countering militant groups such as Al-Shabaab and ISIS, stressing that U.S. support remains critical to ensuring regional security and safeguarding vital trade routes.
“Grateful to Senator Ted Cruz for meeting to discuss Somalia’s pivotal role in countering terrorism and securing the Horn of Africa. U.S. support is vital to defeating Al-Shabaab and ISIS, and to keeping trade routes safe,” Omar said.
The United States continues to be one of Somalia’s key security partners, providing military training, intelligence support, and targeted airstrikes against extremist groups.
At the same time, Senator Cruz has intensified his calls for U.S. recognition of Somaliland. On August 14, 2025, he sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump urging formal recognition of Somaliland as an independent state within its 1960 borders, citing its record of self-governance since 1991 and its role in advancing U.S. strategic interests in the region.
The Somali minister did not disclose whether his talks with Senator Cruz touched on the issue of Somaliland’s recognition, which the senator has recently been advocating.
