Somali MPs to submit motion against UAE-Somaliland military base deal

Motion against the controversial deal between Somalia’s unrecognized breakaway republic of Somaliland and United Arab Emirates (UAE) to set military base is underway, MPs told Goobjoog News.

In February, about 144 of Somaliland MPs supported the United Arab Emirates (UAE) deal to set up a military base in Berbera.

Dahir Amiin Jesow, a member of Somali parliament said dozens of legislators are planning to submit motion against the UAE-Somaliland pact to establish the military installation in the port of Berbera.

“Berbera agreement between Somaliland-UAE is a matter on the table, now we are at transitional time, there is no government but we are carrying out plans to asked question upcoming government,” said Jesow.

Jesow noted both deals on the port and the establishment of the military base have to be discussed in the parliament.

In 2016, Somaliland signed a $442m (£353m) deal for a Dubai-based firm to upgrade the port of Berbera, which mainly exports livestock to the Middle East.

Another lawmaker, Mohamed Omar Dalha said the government should explanation about the controversial pacts (Both Berbera port and the military base).

“We as lawmakers of this country, we want to know what is happening in our country, the government has to give out full explanation about these agreements,” said Dalha.

Late last month, Somali President Mohammed Mohammed Abdullahi Farmajo sought the support of the Saudi government during his three day visit to the Kingdom to quash the naval base deal endorsed by the break-away region of Somaliland this month.

The country’s Auditor General Nuur Farah Jim’aale rubbished the pact to set up a military base in the port of Berbera.

The UAE already has a military facility at Eritrea’s Assab port for use in a campaign against Yemeni rebels.