Hornpost
Somaliland Rejects Somalia’s Claims Over Berbera Port as UAE Rift Deepens.
Hargeisa (Horn post) The Somaliland government has firmly rejected Somalia’s renewed claims over the Port of Berbera, describing them as politically motivated and disconnected from realities on the ground, as tensions between Mogadishu and the United Arab Emirates continue to deepen.
Responding to Somalia’s decision to sever cooperation agreements with the UAE, Somaliland’s Minister of the Presidency, Khadar Hussein Abdi, said Mogadishu’s statements regarding Berbera have no legal or practical effect. In a message posted on X, the minister Account that Somaliland’s partnership with the UAE remains intact and irreversible.
“Somalia’s daydreams change nothing. Berbera is where our President was born, and the UAE is a trusted ally of Somaliland,” Khadar said. “The Emirates invested in Berbera when others doubted us. Today, everyone is talking about Berbera. We are principled people who stand by our partners. The UAE is here to stay, regardless of what a weak administration in Mogadishu says.”
Earlier this week, Somalia’s Council of Ministers announced the cancellation of its cooperation agreements with the UAE, including a bilateral partnership signed in 2023. Mogadishu further claimed it had nullified port-related arrangements covering Bosaso and Kismayo, while controversially extending those claims to include Berbera, a port fully administered by Somaliland and operated by UAE-owned DP World.
The dispute comes amid broader geopolitical shifts in the Horn of Africa, particularly following Israel’s recognition of Somaliland—a development that has intensified regional rivalries. Analysts say Somalia’s position reflects its alignment with the Saudi Turkish bloc, which has increasingly competed with Emirati influence over strategic ports and maritime routes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
Despite Mogadishu’s assertions, the UAE maintains a strong and visible footprint in Somaliland. Abu Dhabi has granted Somaliland what officials describe as quiet, undeclared recognition, including acceptance of Somaliland passports, while DP World continues to manage and expand the Berbera Port under long-standing agreements with the Somaliland government.
Prepared by:
Horn Post Staff Reporter
Hargeisa, Somaliland
