Somalia rejects Somaliland port deal with Ethiopia and UAE company

The government of Somalia has rejected the agreement signed between Ethiopia, Somaliland and United Arab Emirates (UAE) logistics company DP World.

In a statement declaring the agreement ‘null and void’, government said the agreement violated the unity of Somalia and the constitution.

CONFIRMED: The Somali govt has rejected yesterday’s agreement signed between UAE’s DP World, Somaliland and Ethiopia, and declared it “null and void”. Govt says agreement is contrary to the unity of Somalia and is in violation of the Somali constitution: statement pic.twitter.com/uxZuZvGOw6

— Harun Maruf (@HarunMaruf) March 2, 2018

Earlier, Ethiopian media had reported the acquisition of a 19% stake in the Port of Berbera, saying an agreement was reached with the Somaliland Port Authority and DP World.

According to the agreement, DP World is the major shareholder with 51% while Somaliland takes the remaining 30%.

The port of Berbera is located in Somaliland which is internationally recognised as an autonomous state of Somalia.

Ethiopia, which has no coastline, plans to invest in infrastructure to develop the Berbera Corridor as a trade gateway.

When news of the agreement was received on Thursday, the prime minister of Somalia, Hassan Ali was in the UAE and many wondered whether the government of Somalia could have endorsed the deal.

Ethiopia acquires 19% in Berbera Port becoming a strategic shareholder; UAE’s DP World has 51% while Somaliland gets 30% following agreement signed. The Prime Minister of Somalia Hassan Ali Khaire is also (coincidently?) in UAE. pic.twitter.com/Naelsr8e11

— Harun Maruf (@HarunMaruf) March 1, 2018

But when Ali returned from the UAE, he told journalists that the Somali government was neither consulted nor involved in the Berbera Port Agreement.

He added that while the government welcomes foreign investment, all those seeking to acquire ports and similar resources must deal with the federal government.

Somaliland’s minister of information, Abdirahman Guri – Barwaqo responded to the premier’s rejection insisting that Somaliland has the right to enter agreements.

About Somaliland

Somaliland declared unilateral independence from Somalia on May 18, 1991. It has been under pressure to hold talks with Somalia which have so far been futile.

Somaliland can boast of an army, its own currency and legal system. The territory has been experiencing stability and economic prosperity and has been influential in the fight against piracy and terrorism in the Horn of Africa.

26 years of diplomatic isolation has made it difficult for Somaliland to have access to loans from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. 

It is regarded as the autonomous region of Somalia and not a sovereign state. Read more here