Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Africa Subcommittee and serves as Co-Chair of the Congressional Israel Allies Caucus, released a statement after Israel formally recognized the Republic of Somaliland as an independent nation.
“I welcome Israel’s formal recognition of the Republic of Somaliland as an independent, sovereign State, and hope that others, including the United States, follow. Somaliland is a functioning democracy, as demonstrated by the peaceful transfer of power more than a year ago following elections—a rare, positive example in the Horn of Africa, and, indeed, in much of Africa.
“Somaliland’s strategic location and deep-water port at Berbera also underscore its national security significance to the United States. And Somaliland’s close ties with Taiwan offset Communist China’s malign influence in the region—as underscored by PRC Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s upcoming visit to neighboring Mogadishu. Above all, official recognition signals to the Somaliland people that their commitment to democracy—and to free and fair elections—is not in vain, and their nation is getting the acknowledgment it deserves.”
Chris Smith has represented New Jersey’s 4th District in Congress since 1981. He was born in Rahway, New Jersey in 1953 and currently lives in Manchester Township. Smith graduated from The College of New Jersey with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1975.
