Somaliland Deserves Recognition: Anila Ali Urges Washington to Stand With a Muslim-World Role Model

The founder of the American Muslim & Multifaith Women’s Empowerment Council says the Horn of Africa territory has rejected extremism from within, built working institutions and earned America’s acknowledgment.

WASHINGTON — In a public appeal on X, Muslim-American leader Anila Ali called on the United States to formally recognize Somaliland, describing it as a society that “has stood up from within against Islamism, extremism and terrorism” and should be viewed as a Muslim-world role model.

Ali, founder and CEO of the American Muslim & Multifaith Women’s Empowerment Council (AMMWEC), said she met Somaliland’s President, spoke with its people and “witnessed firsthand” a society proud of having resisted forces that sought to destabilize it. Her post was addressed directly to President Donald Trump and congressional foreign-policy leaders.

What Ali Says Somaliland Has Built

In her statement, Ali credits Somaliland with creating functioning institutions, its own currency, a working economy and systems of accountability, anchored in what she calls “a profound sense of national pride and dignity.”

“Somaliland has demonstrated that Muslim societies can reject extremism, build institutions, and choose democracy, responsibility, and peaceful governance.”— Anila Ali, via X

A Message to the Muslim World and to Washington

Ali argues that across the Muslim world, “genuine democratic institutions, accountability, stability, and locally led resistance to terrorism are too often few and far between.” Against that backdrop, she says, Somaliland stands out precisely because the work was done by its own people.

She framed recognition as consistent with long-stated American values: “America has long said that it supports democracy, stability, and those who stand against terrorism. Somaliland has done the difficult work.” Recognition, she wrote, would tell the world that “when people reject extremism, build democratic institutions, defend their society, and choose dignity over terror, America stands with them.”

The Appeal at a Glance

Who Was Addressed

Ali’s post tagged the White House (@POTUS), Secretary of State @SecRubio, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and its Democratic members, the House Foreign Affairs Republicans, the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Sen. Ted Cruz, calling on them to acknowledge Somaliland’s achievements.

“Its people have earned the right to have their achievements acknowledged,” Ali wrote, closing with a simple line: “Somaliland deserves recognition.”

About Anila Ali
Founder and CEO of the American Muslim & Multifaith Women’s Empowerment Council. Follow her on X at @anilaali.