Somalia Prime Minister has termed the Berbera Port deal signed by the breakaway region of Somaliland, UAE’s DP World and Ethiopia as illegal saying Mogadishu was not consulted.
“I want to make it clear to the people of Somalia that the Federal Government of Somalia is not a party to the deal, we were not consulted about the issue and we are not involved in it in anyway” PM Kheire said upon his return from UAE on Friday.
Kheire said no right channels were taken before the deal was signed.
“Any agreement that is entered whether it concerns a port, resources or the sea anywhere in the country it is only the Federal government that can ascend to it after approval by the Parliament” a visibly angered Kheire said.
“I am telling the people of Somalia that we took an oath to defend you and I promise you that we will defend you” the Premier said
“Guarding the unity, Sovereignty and our pledge to you is our responsibility” Kheire added.
Kheire, however, fells short of declaring Somalia government’s next move.
Similar statements were issued by Mogadishu after a deal was signed between UAE and Somaliland to establish a military base in Berbera.
Following the deal, UAE company DP World has a 51% stake in the strategic port while Somaliland share is 30%
The $1Bn deal was signed by Dr Saad Ali Shire Somaliland Foreign Affairs Minister, Ethiopia Transport Minister Ahmed Shide and CEO DP World Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem.
Somaliland declared its secession in 1991 after the eruption of the civil war but has remained unrecognised internationally.
Notably, the deal was signed as the Somalia Prime Minister Hassan Ali Kheire toured the Gulf country.
