Sec. 1356. Feasibility study and report relating to Somaliland
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The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall conduct a feasibility study that— includes consultation with Somaliland security organs; determines opportunities for collaboration in the pursuit of United States national security interests in the Horn of Africa, the Gulf of Aden, and the broader Indo-Pacific region; identifies the practicability of improving the professionalization and capacity of Somaliland security sector actors; and identifies the most effective way to conduct and carry out programs, transactions, and other relations in the City of Hargeisa on behalf of the United States Government.
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the heads of other relevant Federal departments and agencies, shall submit a classified report to the appropriate congressional committees that contains the results of the feasibility study required under subsection (a), including an assessment of the extent to which— opportunities exist for the United States to support the training of Somaliland’s security sector actors with a specific focus on counterterrorism and border and maritime security;
Somaliland’s security forces were implicated, if any, in gross violations of human rights during the 3-year period immediately preceding the date of the enactment of this Act; the United States has provided or discussed with officials of Somaliland the provision of training to security forces, including— where such training has occurred; the extent to which Somaliland security forces have demonstrated the ability to absorb previous training; and the ability of Somaliland security forces to maintain and appropriately utilize such training, as applicable; a United States diplomatic and security engagement partnership with Somaliland would have a strategic impact, including by protecting the United States and allied maritime interests in the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait and at Somaliland’s Port of Berbera;
Somaliland could— serve as a maritime gateway in East Africa for the United States and its allies; and counter Iran’s presence in the Gulf of Aden and China’s growing regional military presence; a United States security and defense partnership could— bolster cooperation between Somaliland and Taiwan; stabilize this semi-autonomous region of Somalia further as a democratic counterweight to anti-democratic forces in the greater Horn of Africa region; and impact the capacity of the United States to achieve policy objectives in Somalia, particularly to degrade and ultimately defeat the terrorist threat posed by Al-Shabaab, the Islamic State in Somalia (the Somalia-based Islamic State affiliate), and other terrorist groups operating in Somalia; and the extent to which an improved relationship with Somaliland could— support United States policy focused on the Red Sea corridor, the Indo-Pacific region, and the Horn of Africa; improve cooperation on counterterrorism and intelligence sharing; enable cooperation on counter-trafficking, including the trafficking of humans, wildlife, weapons, and illicit goods; and support trade and development, including how Somaliland could benefit from Prosper Africa and other regional trade initiatives.
In subsection (b), the term appropriate congressional committees means— the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives; and the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate.