Somaliland to Congo, Rubio flunks on Africa
- Michael Rubin
- Mar 19
- 2 min read
Original Author: Michael Rubin
Original Publication: Washington Examiner
Date: March 18, 2026
Curated Excerpt (Fair Use)
This opinion piece critiques Secretary of State Marco Rubio for an inconsistent approach to African foreign policy, contrasting his firm pro-democracy stances in regions like Latin America with his wavering commitments on the African continent. The author argues that Rubio's policy missteps are particularly evident in his handling of the Horn of Africa, where the United States is failing to capitalize on vital geopolitical opportunities.
According to the analysis, U.S. support and diplomatic recognition for Somaliland should be a "no-brainer". The author highlights Somaliland as a stable, democratic, and staunchly pro-American partner that actively supports Taiwan and Israel. By hesitating to formally recognize Hargeisa and being swayed by detractors, the piece contends that the State Department is effectively punishing a successful democracy, denying the U.S. access to critical rare earth resources, and inadvertently advancing the regional interests of Beijing and the Houthi rebels.
Beyond the Horn of Africa, the article asserts that Rubio is similarly mishandling the crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo by uncritically embracing Kinshasa's narrative and advocating for unilateral sanctions on neighboring Rwanda. Ultimately, the author warns that relying on biased institutional instincts rather than rewarding pro-American, pro-free market African nations risks triggering broader instability across the continent and undermining strategic U.S. trade initiatives.
About the Author
Michael Rubin is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) and a former Pentagon official who specializes in foreign policy, the Middle East, and the Horn of Africa.
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