In brief
- On 23 November 2017, Goobjoog News reported that UAE-based Divers Marine Consulting had started construction of a UAE naval base in Berbera, Somaliland.
- The report cited a $90 million contract awarded in April and a 30-year concession, with completion expected in June 2018.
- No primary documentation or later confirmation exists in the report to establish what has actually happened since that announcement.
On 23 November 2017, Goobjoog News reported that Divers Marine Consulting, a UAE-based firm, had started construction of a UAE naval base in Berbera, Somaliland. The report did not provide a specific start date or cite any contract award document, site notice, or other primary source confirming that work had begun.
The base was expected to be completed in June 2018, according to Goobjoog News. The report said Divers Marine was awarded a $90 million contract in April, citing Arabian Business, though it did not specify the year of that award.
Goobjoog News reported that the Somaliland parliament approved the base in February of that same year, and that the base is based on a 30-year concession for the UAE navy to run the military facility at Berbera port. The report also noted that UAE's DP World was granted a similar concession by Somaliland in August 2016, without citing a source document.
Somaliland dismissed claims that the base could exacerbate conflict in the Horn of Africa, particularly given the UAE's involvement in the Yemen war alongside Saudi Arabia against Houthi rebels, Goobjoog News reported. Foreign Minister Saad Ali Shire said in May, as reported by Goobjoog News, "We don't believe the use of the facility will add to the uncertainty and the conflict in the region," adding that the UAE already has an operational base in Assab, Eritrea.
The Goobjoog News report does not establish what has happened since its publication. It offers no confirmation of completion in June 2018 or at any later date, no updates on the contract status or budget, and no reconciliation of the conflicting concession figures: the text states 30 years while a photo caption in the same article says 25 years. Additionally, the report describes Divers Marine as UAE based and, in another instance, Sharjah based, without clarifying the corporate naming between "Divers Marine Consulting" and "Divers Group."
Frequently asked questions
What is the scope of the naval base in Berbera?
According to Goobjoog News, the base is for the UAE navy to run under a reported 30-year concession at Berbera port.
Who is the contractor and what is their track record?
Divers Marine Consulting is described as UAE based. The report provides no further details on the company's track record.
What is the timeline for completion?
Goobjoog News reported an expected completion date of June 2018, but no confirmation of actual completion is given.
What are the implications for security and trade in Berbera?
Somaliland dismissed conflict concerns. Foreign Minister Saad Ali Shire said the facility would not add to regional uncertainty, noting the UAE's operational base in Assab, Eritrea.