By Mohamed Kunle
Somaliland has been seeking international recognition for the last decades, and the state has employed different instruments to convince the international community to recognize its statehood. Although the country has met the necessary requirements to become independent state, but it is not recognized at all. Somalilanders are insisting upon getting recognition and they are looking forward to result of the dialogue that the Somaliland government opened with its Somalian counterpart.
Lack of international recognition is both political and economic hindrance to the country, therefore we can’t attract international investors to our local complementary resources. Although Somaliland is enjoying de facto existence, entering into an economic agreement with a foreign country is not an easy job. Thus our economy is invested locally with our own limited financial resource. The DP world investment of Berbera port is going to be the first considerable foreign investment that the Somaliland has ever signed, hence all somalilanders should reinforce and respect it.
The strategic location of the Berbera port is not enough for it to be a competent seaport, rather, we need to modernize and expand it so that it becomes an important source of national income. This big project is vital to our economy in many ways, for example it can create hundreds of jobs to our unemployed youth and can make our country a business center that connects the horn of Africa to rest of the world. In addition to that, this investment inspires to the other foreign private and public investors to invest in Somaliland, and know that it deserves to be trusted and dealt with.
Moreover, the 450 million dollars that is injected to our economy will have various multiplier positive effects on the livelihood of the economically vulnerable citizens, for that reason the opposition parties should not disturb the parliamentary approval of this agreement. Apart from the significance of this investment to us, it is also paramount for the region of horn of Africa, and the landlocked neighboring Ethiopia will benefit from this investment. The DP word investment of Berbera port is not something we got by chance, conversely it has been through a long process of negotiation and colloquy which must not be jeopardized. Finally I would like to thank the government of Somaliland for this historical achievement.
Mohamed Kunle
Burao . Kunle_cadaan@hotmail.com
I dont understand why so many people in Somaliland are so short sighted and are afraid of this deal.
There are many benefits if the port is developed as proposed.
1. There is often the argument that the port is the biggest employer in the country and when ‘machines’ come and do the work of the people they all become jobless.
Thats not true. Of course they wont all be able to do the job they did before. But what happens when the traffic in the port increases? Right, all the cargo and wares in the port have be transported somewhere. Transport is a major business as the port is and both are dependent on each other.
2. This kind of investment brings credibility to Somaliland. What other foreign direct investment was there before worth mentioning? It will attractive further investment.
3. Business will come back to Berbera, the City will grow and competitors will decreases prices – everywhere. Even electricity costs will decreases over time.
Think about the long term!