In brief
- On 7 October 2018, Somaliland Chronicle reported a massive concrete slab visibly leaning against the main spans of Hargeisa's main bridge across the dry river bed.
- Somaliland Road Agency engineer Abdillahi Abdisalam Sheikh Ali Jawhar said the slab is not part of the support system and the bridge is stable, but blamed Ministry of Public Works digging for the tilt.
- The report does not establish what has happened to the bridge or the slab since that date: no follow-up, repairs, funding, or current condition data.
On 7 October 2018, Somaliland Chronicle published a report titled "Critical Artery: The State of Hargeisa Main Bridge," describing a visibly leaning concrete slab against the main spans of the bridge that connects the city across its dry river bed. The article does not establish what has happened to the bridge since that date.
What was reported on 7 October 2018
According to Somaliland Chronicle, a Hargeisa resident woke up to news that the main bridge was near collapse. The report describes a massive concrete slab visibly leaning against the main spans of the bridge.
Engineer Abdillahi Abdisalam Sheikh Ali Jawhar of the Somaliland Road Agency said the concrete skirt is not part of the bridge support system. He stated it was an addition made in 2006 when erosion exposed the piles. Engineer Jawhar also said a barrier intended to protect against erosion was washed out by recent floods.
Somaliland Chronicle reported that Ministry of Public Works officials, including Minister Abdirashid Dualeh Qambi, visited the bridge. The ministry officials offered little explanation for the maintenance work that led to the concrete slab's tilt, mainly complaining they had been criticised, according to the report.
Engineer Ali Jawhar said personnel should not have dug the base of the concrete slab around the middle span. He said this digging supposedly caused the massive concrete slab to lean against the span. He also spoke of a lack of experience among Ministry of Public Works personnel.
Engineer Jawhar stated the bridge is stable and assured citizens it is by no means collapsing. The Somaliland Road Agency promised to quickly cover the exposed base of the concrete skirt and may consider removing it altogether.
What the report does not establish
The report includes no independent engineering inspection or report to confirm the bridge's condition. It provides no information on what has happened since 7 October 2018: no follow-up, repairs, funding, contracts, or current status. There are no specific dates for the flooding, the digging, the ministry visit, or the Road Agency's promised action. No details are given on the maintenance work performed by the Ministry of Public Works. No budget, funder, contractor, contract value, or total project cost is stated for any remedial work. It is not confirmed whether the concrete slab was removed, repaired, or remains leaning, and there is no current assessment of traffic safety or load-bearing capacity.
Somaliland Chronicle reported there was no official statement from Hargeisa local government regarding the bridge or its state.
Frequently asked questions
What caused the concrete slab to lean against the main span?
Engineer Ali Jawhar of the Somaliland Road Agency said digging at the base of the concrete slab by Ministry of Public Works personnel supposedly caused the slab to lean. He also spoke of a lack of experience among the ministry's personnel.
Is the Hargeisa Main Bridge safe?
According to Somaliland Chronicle's 2018 report, Engineer Ali Jawhar stated the bridge is stable and assured citizens it is by no means collapsing. However, no independent engineering inspection or later assessment is cited.
What has happened to the bridge since the 2018 report?
Somaliland Chronicle's report contains no information on what has happened since 7 October 2018. There is no record of repairs, funding, contracts, or any change in the slab's condition.