Republic of Somaliland, a self-declared state internationally recognized as an autonomous region of Somalia has approved a deal to allow the United Arab Emirates to establish an air and naval base in the town of Berbera, a commercial port city along the Somali seaboard in the northwestern parts of the country, according to a report by VOA.
The deal “will attract investments, and it will not bring any harm to Somaliland or the region” according to the Somaliland President Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo while presenting the motion on Sunday to a joint session by both houses of the parliament
144 out of 151 lawmakers passed the motion after a number of lawmakers angrily opposed the motion and shouted at the president before being removed from the parliament.
Somaliland’s Aviation Minister Farhan Adan Haybe said the deal is valid for 25 years, and after it expires the Somaliland government will “own the military base and all the investments made by UAE.”
UAE has pledged to implement various development projects, including modernizing highways in Somaliland, in return.
“This military base in not something else but a cooperation that has many benefits, for instance in terms of national security which will improve, it will uplift the quality of our military expertise because they will help train our men in uniform. They will also help in guarding our coastline which is 850 km long hence protect our sea resources which trawlers loot. They will also help in the fight against piracy and terrorism. Furthermore will help to improve our economic wellbeing because our country lacks recognition, hence could not afford many infrastructure development projects because it’s poor.” Mr. Osman Abdillahi Sahardid, Minister of Information and National Guidance is quoted to say by Somaliland Express
UAE has a military base in the port of Assab in Eritrea, which neighbours Somalia. According to Observers UAE intends to have long-term military bases to monitor naval traffics in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea.
