Berbera rift widens as Somaliland parliament warns of consequences against Somalia support

The Berbera port fall-out between Mogadishu and Hargeisa Tuesday took a new turn as Somaliland parliament declared anyone in support of Somalia a national enemy even as it dismissed Monday’s resolution by the Lower House in Mogadishu.

The House of Representatives sitting in Hargeisa today said it was fully in support of investments in the Berbera port concession noting it would yield economic growth. In a March 1 deal, Somaliland and UAE ports operator DP World brought in Ethiopia into concession granting it 19% stake as the two took 30% and 51% respectively.

“The House has decided that anyone who takes part in or supports or promotes the Somali government against the existence and sovereignty of Somaliland is a national enemy,” the lawmakers said.

Majority of MPs sitting in the Lower House Monday voted in favour of a motion which among others declared UAE and DP World a threat to the sovereignty, independence and unity of Somalia and passed that DP World was forbidden from operating in the country.

But the House of Representatives in Somaliland have maintained the deal was above board noting the move by Somalia was tantamount instability in the Horn of Africa.

“We are telling the United Nations, Arab League and IGAD who support democracy and development in Somaliland that Somalia move could lead to instability in the Horn of Africa,” the MPs said.

The Senate in Mogadishu postponed debate in the Berbera port issue to Wednesday.

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