U.S. Senator Ted Cruz has linked his support for President Donald Trump’s nominee to be ambassador to Somalia with progress toward formal American recognition of Somaliland.

During a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing last week, Cruz questioned nominee Devin Kennington about the Trump administration’s policy on the self-declared republic. Cruz noted that Somaliland has maintained relative stability, held democratic elections, and controlled a strategic port on the Gulf of Aden since declaring independence from Somalia in 1991.

Cruz cited President Trump’s earlier description of Somaliland as “a totally different country” from Somalia and argued that the State Department should align with that guidance, “up to and including recognizing Somaliland’s independence.”

“I think President Trump is exactly right. Somaliland is not Somalia.”

Sen. Ted Cruz, Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing

He told Kennington that the nominee’s confirmation would depend on the State Department following the president’s position.

In a subsequent post on X, Cruz reiterated: “President Trump has made his position on Somaliland clear: Somaliland is a totally different country than Somalia. The State Department should be taking steps in line with the President’s guidance, up to and including recognizing Somaliland’s independence.”

Kennington acknowledged that conditions in Somaliland differ significantly from the rest of Somalia and that the United States has interests in deeper engagement with authorities in Hargeisa for security, commercial, and regional reasons. However, he restated existing U.S. policy recognizing Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, including Somaliland, and did not endorse formal recognition.

Supporters of recognition, including Britain’s Zac Goldsmith, have described the moment as a key opportunity in the Horn of Africa, citing counterterrorism cooperation and maritime security interests along critical shipping routes. Somalia continues to insist on the principle of territorial unity and opposes any formal recognition of Somaliland’s independence.

The New York Sun editorial board commented that “Mr. Cruz makes sense to us,” describing the exchange as highlighting a strategic opportunity on the global chessboard. Israel recognized Somaliland in December 2025, becoming the first country to do so.