In a diplomatic masterstroke that has sent shockwaves through the corridors of power in Mogadishu, Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi has held a high-stakes, closed-door meeting with Eric Trump, the influential son of former U.S. President Donald Trump, on the icy sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

The meeting, which took place amidst the glitz of global elites, signals a bold pivot in Hargeisa’s quest for international recognition. By bypassing traditional diplomatic channels and engaging directly with the Trump business empire, President Abdi is effectively betting on a "business-first" approach to sovereignty, leveraging the strategic allure of the Berbera Port to court American influence while the rest of the world remains fixated on protocol.

The Art of the Deal: Berbera calling

Sources close to the Somaliland delegation in Davos reveal that the conversation centered on "untapped investment frontiers" in the Horn of Africa. President Abdi reportedly presented a detailed dossier on the Berbera Corridor, positioning it not just as a regional logistics hub, but as a secure, alternative gateway to East Africa’s 300 million consumers—bypassing the geopolitical volatility of the Red Sea.

The pitch was tailored specifically to the Trump Organization's appetite for high-reward emerging markets. "We are not asking for aid; we are offering a partnership," President Abdi later told reporters. "Somaliland is open for business, and we are ready to write a new chapter with partners who value stability and rule of law."

• Strategic Real Estate: The discussions reportedly touched on potential luxury hospitality developments along Somaliland’s pristine 850-kilometer coastline, a largely untouched asset that rivals the best beaches in the Indian Ocean.
• The Israel Connection: Adding intrigue to the meeting was the presence of Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Davos. While not confirmed to be in the same room, the simultaneous engagement suggests a coordinated diplomatic offensive by Hargeisa to align itself with key U.S. allies.
• Mogadishu's Silence: The Federal Government of Somalia, which claims sovereignty over Somaliland, has remained conspicuously silent. However, insiders in Villa Somalia describe the meeting as a "diplomatic provocation" that undermines the "One Somalia" policy.

A "Kenyan Lens" on the Horn

For Kenya, this development is a double-edged sword. Nairobi has long maintained a delicate balancing act, treating Somaliland as a semi-autonomous partner while respecting Mogadishu’s territorial integrity. However, a direct line between Hargeisa and the Trump family could shift the regional center of gravity.

If American capital begins to flow into Berbera, the Port of Mombasa could face stiff competition. Currently, Berbera handles a growing fraction of Ethiopian cargo that was once the preserve of Djibouti. An injection of U.S. investment would supercharge its capacity, potentially lowering logistics costs for goods destined for the Great Lakes region. For the average Kenyan trader importing car spare parts or electronics, this could mean a future where the "Berbera Route" becomes a viable, cheaper alternative to the Northern Corridor.

As the Davos summit concludes, the message from Hargeisa is clear: if the world won't give them a seat at the UN, they will build their own table—and they are inviting the Trumps to sit at the head of it.