Somaliland: DP World Berbera Investment to Catalyze Enhanced Peace and Stability

Horndiplomat-After the President of Somaliland Ahmed Mohamed Siilanyo official invitation from the Ruler of Dubai, UAE. The government of Somaliland engaged in a direct business negotiation with Dubai Ports (DP World).

On Sep 2016, Somaliland government signed an agreement with DP World, which is authorizing the latter to manage and develop the commercial port of Berbera for thirty years. The $440 million deal include expansion of the port and other infrastructure development including highway linking Berbera Port to border with Ethiopia (Tog-Wajale town). The deal sets up a joint venture with 6 percent control together with the government of Somaliland.

This comes after Somaliland showed a political stability and maturity with multi-party democracy striving in a region dominated by civil war and dictatorship. In addition to traditional trade link between the people of Somaliland and Arabian Gulf states.

Undoubtedly, the deal will create jobs and improve the living standard of the people of Somaliland and the region. This will give the landlocked Ethiopia a reliable access to sea, where Somaliland is trusted friend unlike other regional ports. The deal received the support of the elected parliament of Somaliland and it was a hit on the face of those want to hijack the people on poverty and unemployment.

The process of transforming Berbera in to east Africa’s main free trade hub like the UAE’s Jabel Ali Port. The DP World expansion project in Berbera will lead to extensive trade activities, in which Somaliland will control region’s business and trade. Berbera Port will be ready to provide service in helping Ethiopia and South Sudan exporting their natural resources like natural gas and oil.

Today’s world, business interest is the strongest diplomacy where the world will have no option but to recognize Somaliland, as latter will be regional economy power. In other hand, Ethiopia will have loyal friend, Somaliland, who can provide reliable services with seaport access.

In addition to development of Berbera Port, the deal won the Arab world interest in Somaliland on the grounds of ‘an exchange of interest’. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Somaliland received an official invitation from its Egyptian counterpart, where the Somaliland delegation were received with full head-of-state diplomatic reception. The Somaliland Foreign Minister Dr. Saad Ali Shire met with his Egyptian counterpart, and Somaliland Minister of Higher Education met his counterpart during the visit.

Assistant Foreign Minister for African Affairs of Egypt Mohamed Idris expressed the importance of the Somaliland-Egypt relations. Mr. Idris led Egyptian delegation to Hargiesa, capital of Somaliland, in order to solidify the relations. Such Egyptian interest in Somaliland is first of its kind, which showcases a major change in the political attitude towards Somaliland. The below link is about the reports on the latest Egyptian visit to Somaliland:http://onaeg.com/?p=2557762 and http://www.sis.gov.eg/Story/105690?lang=en-us .

Another remarkable event was the consecutive visits of Somaliland presidents to Kuwait who met the Amir of Kuwait His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed. The State of Kuwait sponsored projects in Somaliland including construction of Berbera Airport Terminal and development of Egal International Airport. The UAE based airline, flydubai, started its direct flight to Hargiesa, and signed an agreement with Ministry of Civil Aviation of Somaliland.
The below links represent the international response to the agreement between Republic of Somaliland and DP World:

1. DP World website
http://www.wsj.com/articles/dp-world-to-manage-somaliland-port-of-berbera-1473086050
http://web.dpworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/2016-09-05-Somaliland-Concession_EN-Final.pdf
2. Wall street journal
http://www.wsj.com/articles/dp-world-to-manage-somaliland-port-of-berbera-1473086050
3.Foxnews World
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/09/05/dubai-port-operator-dp-world-inks-deal-for-somaliland-port.html
4. JOC.com
http://www.joc.com/port-news/terminal-operators/dp-world/dp-world-wins-30-year-deal-operate-somaliland-port_20160906.html
5.world maritime news
http://worldmaritimenews.com/archives/201209/dp-world-wins-30-year-concession-for-somaliland-port/
6.Gulf news Shipping
http://gulfnews.com/business/sectors/shipping/dp-world-signs-442m-joint-venture-with-somaliland-1.1825624
7. The international news
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/148269-DP-World-to-manage-Somaliland-port
8. The National Business
http://www.thenational.ae/business/shipping/20160528/somaliland-project-opens-up-africa-for-dp-world#2
9. African intelligence
DOSSIER SPECIAL SOMALILAND Publié le 9/8/2015  https://www.africaintelligence.fr/loi/dossier/somaliland/berbera/bollore-dpworld-president-silanyo-ahmed-mohamed-mahamoud
10. Dredging today
https://www.dredgingtoday.com/2016/05/30/dp-world-signs-442-million-berbera-port-deal/
11.AMEinfo
http://ameinfo.com/transportation/dubai-dp-world-port-somaliland/
12.Dailymail
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-3775616/Dubais-DP-World-manage-Somaliland-port.html
13. The Load Star Editorial
http://theloadstar.co.uk/dp-world-wins-30-year-concession-for-port-of-berbera-in-somaliland/
14. Container Management
http://container-mag.com/2016/09/06/dp-world-wins-30-year-concession-port-somaliland/
15.Splash24/7
http://splash247.com/dp-world-wins-somaliland-port-concession/
16. reuters
http://af.reuters.com/article/somaliaNews/idAFLUN1A5003
17. Arabian business
http://www.arabianbusiness.com/dubai-s-dp-world-inks-deal-develop-somaliland-port-644553.html#.
18.Lloyds list
https://www.lloydslist.com/ll/sector/ports-and-logistics/article535827.
19.KFMBFM
http://www.kfmbfm.com/story/33015499/dubai-port-operator-dp-world-inks-deal-for-somaliland-port
20.uk.news.yahoo.com
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/dubais-dp-world-manage-somaliland-074713522.html
21.Fairplay
http://fairplay.ihs.com/ports/article/4269506/dp-world-usd442-million-somaliland-port-agreement
22.MinBane
https://minbane.wordpress.com/2016/09/05/httpwp-mep1xtjg-3bq/
23.ABC6 news
http://www.abc6.com/story/33015499/dubai-port-operator-dp-world-inks-deal-for-somaliland-port
24.Rose bank killarney Gazette
http://rosebankkillarneygazette.co.za/afp/207885/dubais-dp-world-to-manage-somaliland-port
25.Hastings Tribune
http://www.hastingstribune.com/dubai-port-operator-dp-world-inks-deal-for-somaliland-port/article_a15fba3d-bd33-51cc-b202-98f3d0d857ae.html
25.Southlands Sun
http://southlandssun.co.za/afp/207885/dubais-dp-world-to-manage-somaliland-port
26.WAND TV or WAND 17
http://www.wandtv.com/story/33015499/dubai-port-operator-dp-world-inks-deal-for-somaliland-port
27. Four ways review
http://fourwaysreview.co.za/afp/207885/dubais-dp-world-to-manage-somaliland-port
28. New castle advertiser
http://newcastleadvertiser.co.za/afp/207885/dubais-dp-world-to-manage-somaliland-port
29.Zululand observer
http://zululandobserver.co.za/afp/207885/dubais-dp-world-to-manage-somaliland-port
30.northern Natal courier
http://northernnatalcourier.co.za/afp/207885/dubais-dp-world-to-manage-somaliland-port

31.my SA
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/world/article/Dubai-port-operator-DP-World-inks-deal-for-9203580.php
32. Randburg Sun
http://randburgsun.co.za/afp/207885/dubais-dp-world-to-manage-somaliland-port
33.Bedfordview and Edenvale news
http://bedfordviewedenvalenews.co.za/afp/207885/dubais-dp-world-to-manage-somaliland-port
34. scottsbluff Star Herald
http://www.starherald.com/news/nation_world/dubai-port-operator-dp-world-inks-deal-for-somaliland-port/article_7cf3a107-96d3-5a24-a090-d6ccf3db3b77.html
35.Berea Mail
http://bereamail.co.za/afp/207885/dubais-dp-world-to-manage-somaliland-port
36. Port Technology
https://www.porttechnology.org/news/dp_world_win_massive_somalian_port_concession
37. Lemonde Afrique
http://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2016/09/06/somaliland-dp-world-remporte-un-contrat-pour-la-gestion-du-port-de-berbera_4993475_3212.html
38.KTAR news
http://ktar.com/story/1260321/dubai-port-operator-dp-world-inks-deal-for-somaliland-port/
39.ajc.com
http://www.ajc.com/ap/ap/top-news/dubai-port-operator-dp-world-inks-deal-for-somalil/
40.mpumalanganews
http://mpumalanganews.co.za/afp/207885/dubais-dp-world-to-manage-somaliland-port
41. www.appeal-democrat.com
42. www.container-news.com
43. www.herald-review.com/
44.thetruth24.info

45.www.fbj-online.com/archives/17712

46.Radio France international
DP World deal ‘helpful’ to Somaliland’s bid for independe 47.www.africasupplychainfrontier.com/  48.www.marinelink.com
49.cctv-africa.com/2016/
50.DP World获得索马里兰柏培拉港口特许经营权
http://www.cnss.com.cn/html/2016/gjgkxw_0907/235236.html
51. Port news
DP World получит в 30-летнюю концессию инфраструктуру порта Бербера в Сомалиленде
http://portnews.ru/news/225731/
52. jp.wsj
ドバイのDPワールド、ソマリランドと30年の港湾管理で合意
http://jp.wsj.com/articles/SB10513819889225894892604582097510796269148
53. www.Al arab.co.uk
موانئ دبي تدير مرفأ بربرة في أرض الصومال
54.www.i24news.tv/…/115283-160601-تري-صوماليلاند
صوماليلاند تريد أن تجعل بربرة مرفأ استراتيجيا بمساعدة دبي
55. I24news TV
www.i24news.tv/…/115283-160601-تري-صوماليلاند
56.www.emaratalyoum.com
تستثمر 1.62 مليار درهم في أرض الصومال
http://www.emaratalyoum.com/business/local/2016-09-06-1.927365
57.middle east online
المشروع المعلن مع جمهورية أرض الصومال بقيمة
442
مليون دولار ويهدف لتحويل مرفأ بربرة إلى مركز تجاري
إقليمي
http://www.middle-east-online.com/?id=232204
58. www.islamicnews.org.sa
“موانئ دبي” تنال امتياز إدارة مرفأ بربرة في أرض الصومال
http://www.islamicnews.org.sa/page/public/news_details.aspx?id=178839#.V9Q8MI9OJl
59. 24.ae
أعلنت موانيء دبي العالمية الإثنين في بيان للبورصة، فوزها بامتياز يمتد 30 عاماً لإدارة و تطوير ميناء في منطقة أرض الصومال، وبما يحتاج لاستثمارات 442مليون دولار.
http://24.ae/article.aspx?ArticleId=277103
60. al arabi
إدارة مرفأ بربرة في أرض الصومال… لـ”موانئ دبي”
61. France24.com
“موانئ دبي” تنال امتياز إدارة مرفأ بربرة في ارض الصومال
62.اخبار اليمن
موانئ دبي تستحوذ على مرفأ بربرة في أرض الصومال
http://www.hadrah.net/news1677859.html
63.المغرب اليوم
http://www.almaghribtoday.net 64.http://www.raddar.co.il/External-274198.html
65- Ethiopian Foreign Policy
http://www.ethiopianforeignpolicy.com/uae-takes-over-berbera-port-of-

By\ Abdulaziz Al-Mutairi
Email: az.almutairi@yahoo.com