In brief
- Somaliland Sun reported on 2014-06-14 that presidency minister Hirsi Haji Ali revealed a government plan to build a tarmac road connecting Sayla and Borame.
- The report gives no project value, budget, contractor, consultant, financier, road length or technical specification.
- The report records an intention, not construction; it does not establish that any works started or were completed.
On 14 June 2014, Somaliland Sun reported a plan for a tarmac road connecting Sayla and Borame. The report, headlined "Somaliland: Plans for Tarmac Road Connecting Sayla and Borame Afoot," records an intention, not a construction event.
The report says presidency minister Hirsi Haji Ali revealed the road plan while leading a ministerial-level inspection tour of Selel region in western Somaliland. He was accompanied by planning and resettlement colleagues Dr Saad Ali Shire and Ahmed Abdi Kahin, according to the report. The delegation began the tour after departing Djibouti, where it had been on official business, travelling by road, and started inspections at the Somaliland-Djibouti border town of Lowy'ado, where immigration officials, the district police commander and district officers briefed the delegation.
What the report attributes, and to whom
The report attributes the road plan and the government's stated determination to the Somaliland government as conveyed by Minister Hirsi. It also attributes to him a Turkish government promise of support for modernisation of the road connecting Somaliland and Djibouti via Sayla town. No Turkish-side statement, amount, modality or signed agreement is cited.
The Somaliland government said it would modernise the Sayla-Borame road in partnership with residents and other well-wishers, according to the report. Minister Hirsi is quoted saying: "Am certain that the concerted efforts of government and citizens plus Turkish shall make the desire of a tarmac road connecting Somaliland to Djibouti via Borame and Sayla a reality." The report also attributes to him a link between Selel region's natural resources and the need for a good road network to move them elsewhere.
After Lowy'ado the delegation moved to Togoshi, a historic town known for salt production, before proceeding to the Selel regional capital Sayla. There, Selel regional officials including Governor Abdirizaq Waaberi Roble and Sayla mayor Councillor Hussein Idle Barkhadle briefed on conditions in their areas. Somaliland Sun reported that a number of issues were agreed upon, mainly continued enhancement of security, effective service provision to the public and streamlining of the fishing industry, among others. No parties, minutes or agreement document were identified.
The report also attributes to Minister Hirsi a statement that President Silanyo is committed to enhancing the livelihoods of all Somaliland communities and that the people's commitment was likewise expected.
What the report does not establish
The document states no project value, contract value, budget or funding amount. It names no contractor, consultant, implementing agency or financier. It gives no road length, lane count or pavement specification. It sets no start date, construction schedule or completion date.
The report does not establish that the proposed road was built, started or advanced after 2014-06-14, and it provides no update since that date. The Turkish government's promise carries no Turkish-side confirmation. The partnership with residents and well-wishers is stated as a government intention, not as materialised funding. By its own terms, the document records a stated determination and a plan, which is not the same as construction.
Frequently asked questions
What did the 2014 Somaliland Sun report say about the Sayla-Borame road?
It reported that presidency minister Hirsi Haji Ali revealed, during a ministerial inspection tour of Selel region, a government determination to construct a tarmac road connecting Sayla and Borame.
Does the report give a budget, contractor or timeline for the road?
No. Somaliland Sun's 2014-06-14 report states no project or contract value, budget, funding amount, contractor, consultant, funder, road length or technical specification, and no start or completion date.
Has the Sayla-Borame road been built?
The 2014-06-14 report does not establish that. It records a plan and stated determination, not construction, and carries no update on whether any works followed.