Somaliland officials and prominent figures have welcomed US Senator Ted Cruz's call for President Donald Trump to recognize Somaliland, describing the call as a major endorsement of the recognition they have been fighting for for decades.

Senator Ted Cruz, chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy, wrote a letter to President Trump, praising Somaliland as “a critical security and diplomatic partner for the United States” and urging him to “recognize it.”

In his letter, he cited Somaliland’s strategic location on the Red Sea coast, its strong military, and its contributions to counterterrorism and anti-piracy operations. He also said that Somaliland “is committed to building a close relationship with the United States, despite intense pressure from rivals such as the Chinese Communist Party.”

Senator Cruz's letter comes on the eve of Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Iroh's planned trip to the United States. This week, Minister Abdirahman told local media that the president will make an official visit to the United States in the coming days.