In brief
- Somaliland Standard reported on 9 January 2020 that groundbreaking had taken place for the Peace Highway, a new road linking Wadaama-goo and Buhodle.
- The road was reported to connect three major eastern regions of Somaliland and to be used by vehicles transporting commuters and goods between Somaliland, Somalia and Ethiopia.
- The report did not establish any progress on the Peace Highway since that date, nor did it name the three regions or provide contractor details.
On 9 January 2020, Somaliland Standard reported that groundbreaking had taken place for the construction of a new road linking the towns of Wadaama-goo and Buhodle in Somaliland. The road, named the 'Peace Highway', was reported to connect three major regions of the eastern part of the country. According to the report, the road would be used by vehicles transporting commuters and goods between Somaliland, Somalia and Ethiopia.
The report added that the groundbreaking came about a year after the start of construction of a 250km dual carriageway between the Somaliland port city of Berbera and the Ethiopian border. That road was reported to be funded by the UAE and the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development Construction Company at a cost of US $400m.
Somaliland Minister for Transport and Road Development Abdullahi Abokor Osman was quoted as saying the road construction was part of a wider government mission to improve trade between local traders and link them with neighbouring countries. He added that the road would play a significant role in the development and security of Somaliland, particularly in the areas and regions it links.
The Somaliland Standard report did not establish any progress on the Peace Highway since 9 January 2020. It did not name the three eastern regions the road would connect, nor did it provide the date of the groundbreaking ceremony, the contractor, or contract details for the Peace Highway. The report also did not state whether the US $400m figure for the Berbera road was the total project cost or the contract value, and it did not clarify whether the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development was the funder, contractor, or both.
Somaliland Standard noted that Somaliland remains internationally unrecognized after cutting ties with Somalia in 1990 at the advent of the civil war.
Frequently asked questions
Which regions will the Peace Highway connect?
Somaliland Standard reported that the Peace Highway will connect three major regions of eastern Somaliland, but the report did not name those regions.
Who is funding the Peace Highway?
The report did not provide funding details for the Peace Highway. It did state that the separate Berbera–Ethiopian border dual carriageway was funded by the UAE and the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development Construction Company at a cost of US $400m.