Rabia Iclal Turan
01 February 2026•Update: 01 February 2026
WASHINGTON
Newly released documents tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein reveal that he and people in his circle discussed Somaliland for international recognition as well as its potential for finance, water and studio projects, according to internal correspondence included in the files.
The latest tranche of documents released by the US Department of Justice includes one email exchange from April 2018, the year before Epstein’s death, in which Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, the chief executive of Dubai-based trade company DP World, sent Epstein a file titled, “The recognition of Somaliland – a brief history.docx.”
Other emails dating back more than a decade show that Epstein’s associates also explored Somaliland’s economic potential, particularly in water exports and financial services.
In a 2012 email from an individual who described himself as owning a “water company,” the sender wrote to Epstein: “My water company could start really soon and fast as there are huge water reserves, untapped (and clean) near port city of berbera..direct access to Saudi market. Easy to ship. Minimal transport. Again Somaliland. Water sources already mapped etc.”
In another 2012 email, an unidentified individual proposed building a studio named “SOMALIWOOD STUDIOS.”
The email stated. “But...we could build a small studio in Somaliland and called it SOMALIWOOD STUDIOS. Imagine the cool filming...beaches, desert, etc.”
“We could invite muslim and all sorts of groups to film there. We would make it a part of the mission to not avow anything immoral to be filmed there. Could do like Sesame Street type stuff (children's programming etc for African kids),” the sender wrote. “I'm copying Jeffrey since he might also think this would be FUN FUN FUN.”
In a separate 2013 email, the unidentified sender referenced an Oct. 10, 2013, Financial Times article warning that Somalia and the republic of Somaliland could face disaster if Barclays halted money transfer services, noting that around half of their combined populations rely on remittances from relatives abroad for basic needs.
The sender questioned why Middle Eastern banks had not developed diaspora-focused transfer systems, adding, “Seems like a huge financial opportunity.”
Somaliland has operated as a de facto self-governing entity since declaring independence from Somalia in 1991, but it has not received international recognition as a sovereign state.
On Dec. 26, Israel announced that it officially recognized Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state, becoming the only country to do so. The move drew sharp criticism across the region.
