A self-governing breakaway region of Somalia known as Somaliland is not recognized as an independent country by any foreign government, but it is hoping to convince the Trump administration to change long-standing U.S. policy.

Somaliland, which declared its independence from Somalia in 1991, is in the Horn of Africa, strategically on the coast of the Gulf of Aden. Unlike Somalia, which has faced decades of instability, terrorism, and piracy, Somaliland is much closer to a Western country that has proven itself capable of success without foreign investment.