YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — US President Donald Trump has described the secessionist region of Somaliland as a “totally different country” from Somalia, bizarrely suggesting the territory should immediately change its name.
The remarks were delivered on October 12 during a campaign rally in Youngstown, Ohio, where the US president spent a significant portion of his speech launching xenophobic attacks against Somali and Haitian immigrant communities
“I call it Somalia land, not Somaliland, because actually it’s a totally different country,” Trump told the crowd, adding, “Some people like Somaliland ... I think they should change the name immediately”
The comments came amidst a broader tirade targeting Somali-born US Representative Ilhan Omar and the Somali population in Minnesota, prompting chants of “deport” from the audience.
Deepening Ties with the Zionist Regime
The president’s remarks coincide with the breakaway region’s accelerating diplomatic and strategic alignment with the Zionist regime. Separately, Somaliland’s ambassador to “Israel,” Mohamed Haji, recently outlined the administration’s long-term ambitions, declaring that the region aspires to become “Africa’s Israel.”
Haji described a vision for the region to become a highly influential state driven by a robust economy and advanced military capabilities, actively working to undermine the legitimate federal government in Mogadishu.
Controversial Israeli Recognition
The push for closer ties with Tel Aviv reached a major milestone on December 26, 2025, when “Israel” became the first government globally to formally recognise Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state. The unilateral recognition sparked widespread international backlash, drawing strong condemnations from Somalia, Egypt, Turkey, Djibouti, the African Union, and the European Union.
Following the Israeli move, Trump initially stated that Washington was not ready to immediately follow suit with formal recognition
Despite his recent rhetoric distinguishing the region from Somalia, it remains unanswered whether Washington will ultimately pursue formal recognition of the territory
Somaliland originally declared its secession from Somalia in 1991. Somalia’s federal government has consistently rejected the breakaway movement, maintaining that the territory remains an inseparable part of the Somali nation. Despite international isolation, the regional administration appointed Haji as its first ambassador to the Zionist regime in February 2026, with the envoy officially presenting his credentials to Israeli President Isaac Herzog in May.
Reference: Al-Mayadeen