In brief
- Somaliland Sun reported on 29 July 2016 that the council of ministers unanimously approved a DP World contract to manage Berbera Port for 30 years.
- Presidency minister Mahmud And I Hashi said the port remains public property, with DP World holding only a management and operation mandate.
- The report does not say whether the contract was finalised, whether parliament debated it, or whether construction has started.
On 29 July 2016, Somaliland Sun reported that the council of ministers had unanimously approved a contract mandating DP World to manage Berbera Port for 30 years. The approval took place at the weekly cabinet meeting held on 28 July 2016 at the presidency in Hargeisa, chaired by President Ahmed Mahmud Silanyo, according to the publication.
The report cites a briefing by presidency minister Mahmud And I Hashi, who stated that the port of Berbera is public property and remains so, since DP World has only been given a management and operation mandate on a 30-year lease. Somaliland Sun did not report the contract value or investment figures.
Members of the House of Representatives were set for debate on the contract, Somaliland Sun reported. The report does not say whether that debate has taken place, whether the contract was fully signed, or whether DP World has begun any development work.
Somaliland Sun's article gives no evidence of what has happened since 29 July 2016. It does not establish that construction of a second port has begun, that the existing port's operations have been transferred, or that any employees have been absorbed or recruited. It also does not confirm any investment amount by DP World or the UAE government.
The cabinet's approval does not mean the contract is legally effective or that parliament has approved it. The report states only that the council of ministers gave its approval and that the House of Representatives was set to debate the matter.
Frequently asked questions
Does the DP World contract affect public ownership of Berbera Port?
According to Somaliland Sun, citing presidency minister Mahmud And I Hashi, Berbera Port remains public property. DP World has only been mandated with management and operation on a 30-year lease.
What did the council of ministers approve?
The council of ministers unanimously approved the contract between the government of Somaliland and the United Arab Emirates, in which DP World was mandated with the management of Berbera Port for 30 years.
What happens next after the cabinet approval?
Members of the House of Representatives were set for debate on the contract, but the source does not report the outcome of that debate.