U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R) is urging the State Department to issue a separate travel advisory for Somaliland, arguing the region's security and democratic governance differ significantly from conditions elsewhere in Somalia.
Separate travel advisory
Sen. Cruz, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy, has sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging the U.S. Department of State to establish a region-specific travel advisory for Somaliland.
Cruz argued that the current Level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisory for Somalia should not apply uniformly to Somaliland, saying the region's conditions differ substantially from the rest of the country.
In his letter, Cruz said the existing travel advisory warns Americans about risks including crime, kidnapping, terrorism, civil unrest, piracy, landmines, and other safety concerns throughout Somalia.
According to Cruz, those warnings do not accurately reflect conditions in Somaliland.
Sen. Ted Cruz: "The current advisory is inaccurate and counterproductive to U.S. national security interests. Americans deserve travel guidance that reflects the conditions on the ground, rather than a one-size-fits-all assessment that fails to distinguish Somaliland’s peaceful governance and security environment from conditions elsewhere in Somalia"
Highlights Somaliland's governance
Cruz noted that Somaliland has operated as a stable, self-governing democracy for nearly three decades.
He pointed to the region's record of:
- Multiple peaceful elections
- Democratic transfers of power
- Cooperation with the United States on security and diplomatic matters.
- Strategic importance in the Horn of Africa.
Noting this, the Senator urged the State Department's Diplomatic Security Bureau to conduct a tiered assessment of Somalia and issue a separate travel advisory specifically for Somaliland.
He said a region-specific advisory would provide more accurate travel information while supporting U.S. engagement with Somaliland.
Previous effort
The letter builds on Cruz's previous efforts regarding Somaliland. In August 2025, he urged President Donald Trump to formally recognize the Republic of Somaliland as an independent state.
