Somalia dismisses Somaliland-UAE military base deal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Somalia’s Auditor General  Nuur Farah Jim’aale has rubbished the pact between Somaliland and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to set up a military base in the port of Berbera.

Somaliland Parliament on Sunday voted in favour of the agreement which allows the UAE to use the base located in the port and airport for 25 years.

Jim’aale said the controversial agreement was an affront to diplomatic relations between Somalia and the UAE.

“We call on the government of UAE to stop interference of Somali affairs and the division of Somali territory,” said Jim’aale.

He accused Emirati government of signing two deals with the breakaway Somaliland administration without consent of Somali federal government.

“This is the second time the Emirati government is inking a deal with the administration of Somaliland inside hotels in its country,” said the auditor.

He warned that the agreement would cause challenges to the region including insecurity and socio-economic problems.

“The area will be a military zone, the residents who are living and working there would face difficulties and will be restricted,” said Jim’aale.

The UAE embassy in Mogadishu has not issued a statement on the matter but told Goobjoog News the ambassador will respond when he returns to the country.

The plan for the military base follows a multimillion dollar 30-year contract for the UAE ports operator DP World to manage Berbera port, Somaliland’s largest last year.

The former British protectorate declared independence from the rest of Somalia in 1991 and has succeeded in establishing peace and stability but it has no international recognition.