In brief
- Somaliland Standard reported on 14 September 2019 that the Somaliland government revoked construction at the site of a proposed UAE military base in Berbera.
- President Musa Bihi Abdi announced the revocation during a visit to Berbera, according to the report.
- The report does not establish the current status of the site or any UAE response.
On 14 September 2019, Somaliland Standard reported that the Somaliland government revoked construction at the site of a proposed UAE military base in Berbera. The publication stated that President Musa Bihi Abdi announced the revocation while visiting the port city.
The report did not include a presidential decree, gazette notice, or contract cancellation document. It also did not include any response from the UAE government or military.
Somaliland Standard said the UAE's objective was to use Berbera airport as an airbase for coalition military planes engaged in Yemen operations. The publication described the cancellation as a success for Somaliland and a response to critics of the previous administration, which it said presided over the handover of the military base to the UAE. It also reported that the granting of the base caused an outcry in Somaliland, with the majority opposed, according to Somaliland Standard.
No information is provided on the current status of the Berbera airport or any military facilities as of the publication date or later. The report does not state the terms of the previous agreement or the legal basis for the UAE base. Somaliland Standard's account leaves unverified whether any structures had been built or contracts formally terminated, and no subsequent official confirmation appears in the report.
Frequently asked questions
Which construction activities or agreements were revoked?
Somaliland Standard reported that the Somaliland government revoked construction at the site of a proposed new UAE military base in Berbera. The report does not specify the exact activities or agreements beyond the site revocation.
Why did the Somaliland government revoke the construction?
The report does not state an official reason. It describes the cancellation as a response to critics of the previous administration and says the granting of the base caused an outcry, but no government justification is provided.
What is the status of other UAE-funded projects in Berbera?
The report does not provide information on other UAE-funded projects in Berbera.