The government of Somalia has reached out to US President Donald Trump, seeking to grant his administration exclusive operational control over key strategic assets.
In a letter dated March 16, 2025, the Federal Republic of Somalia offered access to strategic locations, including the Balidogle and Berbera airbases, as well as the Ports of Berbera and Bosaso.
“Today, with evolving global dynamics, we see a renewed opportunity to strengthen our collaboration in ways that benefit both our nations and enhance security in the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea, and the broader region.
To this end, Somalia is prepared to offer the United States exclusive operational control over the Balidogle and Berbera airbases, along with the Ports of Berbera and Bosaso,” the letter stated.
Somalia Offers Trump Two Ports and Airbases
According to the President of Somalia, the proposed agreement would provide the US military with logistical access to critical infrastructure in Somalia, improving its capacity to monitor and secure the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea, and the wider region. This initiative is also a strategic move to prevent external competitors from gaining a foothold in this vital corridor.
“These strategically located assets present an opportunity to enhance American engagement in the region, ensuring continuous military and logistical access,” the letter emphasized.
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In addition to security collaboration, Somalia expressed its willingness to strengthen economic ties with the US through preferential trade arrangements, including the establishment of Free Trade Zones. This initiative aims to attract American investment and promote long-term economic growth in Somalia.
DRC President Offers Trump Access to Minerals
Somalia is not the only country seeking to strengthen ties with the US regarding strategic assets.
The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Felix Tshisekedi, recently proposed offering US tech companies access to the country’s minerals in exchange for assistance in combating the M23 rebels, who have been in conflict with the DRC government for several years.
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Tshisekedi suggested to Trump that he could secure access to valuable minerals such as lithium, cobalt, copper, and tantalum in return for security support aimed at defeating the M23 group.
He argued that such a partnership would enable the DRC to extract and refine its essential minerals, benefiting US companies while simultaneously bolstering the defenses of the DRC.
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