UK details Berbera port and security cooperation with Somaliland

On 25 January 2024, Somaliland Standard reported that the UK elaborated on its cooperation with the Republic of Somaliland in terms of security and use of the port of Berbera. The report is built around a parliamentary exchange and a ministerial answer, and it attributes to the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) the framing of cooperation as covering both regional security and the port.

The parliamentary exchange

According to Somaliland Standard, UK MP Tim Loughton asked the Minister of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office whether he will hold discussions with his counterpart in the government of the Republic of Somaliland on (a) regional security and (b) use of the port of Berbera. Somaliland Standard reported that Andrew Mitchell, Minister of State in the FCDO, responded on 22 January 2024.

The report does not establish that the discussions will take place. The question records whether they will be held; the answer, as reported, does not state a decision or a date.

What the ministerial answer says

The UK FCDO Minister of State said, as reported by Somaliland Standard, that since the announcement of the Ethiopia–Somaliland memorandum of understanding the UK has been engaging closely with all parties involved, including the Somaliland authorities, to call for calm and dialogue. The same ministerial statement said the UK is urging all involved to avoid action that would negatively affect regional security, especially the crucial fight against al-Shabaab.

Somaliland Standard's report refers only to the announcement of the Ethiopia–Somaliland memorandum of understanding. It does not state when it was announced, nor its signature, ratification or implementation status.

Berbera Corridor funding

The UK FCDO stated, as reported by Somaliland Standard, that the UK is supporting the Berbera Corridor project through the 'Unlocking Prosperity in the Horn of Africa' programme. That support has included £25 million in funding towards the development of infrastructure to open access to Berbera port for Ethiopia and the wider region, according to the FCDO statement as reported by Somaliland Standard.

The £25 million is stated as funding included in UK support, not as expenditure, and no timeframe or spending period is given. It is also not stated as the total project cost. The report does not name a contractor, consultant or implementing partner for the Berbera Corridor project or for the programme.

What the report does not establish

Several matters material to a port operator or shipping line are not covered. The report gives no date for when the parliamentary question was tabled; only the answer date, 22 January 2024, is stated. It gives no details of what the UK–Somaliland discussions on regional security or use of the port of Berbera concluded, if anything.

Most importantly for anyone tracking the corridor since, the report does not establish what has happened after 25 January 2024. It records no UK decision, no funding disbursement, no follow-up talks and no change in the status of the Berbera Corridor project. On the evidence of this report, the cooperation described is a stated position as of late January 2024.