Category: News

Emergency Life-Saving Intervention Project Inaugurated in Somaliland

Emergency Life-Saving Intervention Project Inaugurated in Somaliland

King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief) launched yesterday an emergency intervention project to save the lives of people affected by drought in Somaliland, in the presence of several officials. Continue reading “Emergency Life-Saving Intervention Project Inaugurated in Somaliland”

East Africa Transport & Infrastructure Conference in Addis

East Africa Transport & Infrastructure Conference in Addis

DP World in Berbera was honoured to take part this week in the 7th Annual East Africa Transport and Infrastructure Conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Continue reading “East Africa Transport & Infrastructure Conference in Addis”

PM Hamsa: Somaliland’s Independence Must Be Justified

PM Hamsa: Somaliland's Independence Must Be Justified

Somalia’s new Prime Minister Hamsa Abdi Barre, who was given a vote of confidence by the Somali federal parliament yesterday, said he would form a capable government to address the country’s problems such as drought, security and finalizing Somalia’s draft constitution. Continue reading “PM Hamsa: Somaliland’s Independence Must Be Justified”

The Winning Design of Waaheen Mall Revealed

The Winning Design of Waaheen Mall Revealed

The National Committee entrusted to oversee the reconstruction of Waaheen Mall presented the winning design of the mall to President Bihi.

Eng. Mohamoud Abdi Elmi – the head of the Waaheen Mall Reconstruction Technical Committee – outlined how they handled that process from the get-go. Invitation soliciting bids to reconstruct the Waaheen Market was globally as well as locally advertised.

The contract for reconstructing Waheen Market was jointly won by SEMA SERVOYORS and MURTADA MAAZ CONSULTANCY based in Khartoum, Sudan. Its representative – Eng. Mohamed Hassan Khalifa – noted in particular the heavy responsibility the company has taken on. This construction company has a track record in constructing of mega buildings, and was founded in 1995.

Remarks of Eng. Mohamoud Mohamed Osman

A Request for Proposal (RFP) for the demolition of the government-owned portion of Waaheen Mall was also publicized locally, and 28 local companies submitted bids, with one winning the contract.

Finally, Somaliland’s President spoke extensively about the big project of restoring Waheen Market, as well as what is expected from the Waaheen National Ad Hoc Committee and the company that got the contract.

As Protest to Somaliland Invite, Somali Envoy in Kenya Rushes out Kenyatta’s Forum

As Protest to Somaliland Invite, Somali Envoy in Kenya Rushes out Kenyatta’s Forum

An envoy representing the Republic of Somalia in Kenya on Tuesday, June 14, stormed out of a meeting convened by President Uhuru Kenyatta at State House. Continue reading “As Protest to Somaliland Invite, Somali Envoy in Kenya Rushes out Kenyatta’s Forum”

The Passage of US-Somaliland Partnership Act

The Passage of US-Somaliland Partnership Act

RISCH, VAN HOLLEN, ROUNDS APPLAUD COMMITTEE PASSAGE OF SOMALILAND LEGISLATION

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), chairman and ranking member of the Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy, today applauded committee passage of their Somaliland Partnership Act, legislation requiring the Department of State to report to Congress on engagement with Somaliland, and to conduct a feasibility study, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, regarding the establishment of a partnership between the United States and Somaliland.

“As the Horn of Africa faces a number of complex challenges, the United States should explore all possible mutually-beneficial relationships with stable and democratic partners, including Somaliland,” said Risch. “This legislation requires the administration to review outdated policies and diplomatic frameworks that don’t meet today’s challenges, and to review opportunities for establishing a partnership between the United States and Somaliland. I look forward to engaging with the State Department on this issue in the months ahead.”

“Enhancing our cooperation with those on the Horn of Africa that are committed to making progress on democratic governance and fundamental freedoms is key to advancing U.S. interests and improving stability, especially as this region continues to face increasingly destabilizing currents. That’s why we’re working to strengthen opportunities for the U.S. to engage with Somaliland. Our bill will help ensure the United States explores the greater possibilities of this mutually-beneficial relationship, and I’m glad to see today’s strong show of support from our colleagues on the Committee,” said Van Hollen.

“Somaliland has charted an impressive trajectory over the past several decades, and this legislation acknowledges that,” said Rounds. “Somaliland’s stability, democratic values and shared interests provide a secure foundation upon which to build a mutually beneficial partnership across a number of fronts.”

Background:

The Republic of Somaliland received independence from the United Kingdom on June 26, 1960, prior to the creation of the Somali Republic, and has been a self-declared independent and sovereign state since 1991 that is not internationally recognized. A delegation from Somaliland, led by President Musa Bihi Abdi, visited Washington in March to meet with Congress, Biden Administration officials, and the private sector.

The Somaliland Partnership Act (S.3861) was introduced on March 17, 2022. Text of this legislation as introduced can be found here.

Yemen Remembers Queen Elizabeth’s Visit and a Lost Era of Hope

Yemen Remembers Queen Elizabeth's Visit and a Lost Era of Hope

Just two years into her reign, a young Queen Elizabeth II and her husband the Duke of Edinburgh left the UK for her first and longest Commonwealth tour as monarch. It lasted from November 1953 until May 1954, covering 44,000 miles and stopping in the West Indies, Australasia, Asia and Africa. Continue reading “Yemen Remembers Queen Elizabeth’s Visit and a Lost Era of Hope”

The Worsening Drought in the Horn of Africa

The Worsening Drought in the Horn of Africa

Hammered by four droughts in a row, as many as 17 million people are going hungry in three countries in the Horn of Africa, with aid agencies warning that the hardest-hit areas are threatened by famine Continue reading “The Worsening Drought in the Horn of Africa”

Splendid Display for Somaliland’s Re-birth Day at Age 31

Splendid Display for Somaliland’s Re-birth Day at Age 31

Celebrations to mark the 31st anniversary of the re-birth of Somaliland Sovereignty in Burao in 1991 have been widely celebrated in all Somaliland cities and around the world where a large numbers of Somaliland Diaspora are concentrated. Continue reading “Splendid Display for Somaliland’s Re-birth Day at Age 31”

The Ever-widening Fishing Net of China

The Ever-widening Fishing Net of China

Driven by the depletion of fish populations in its own national waters and its role as a key processing and exporting state, the Government of the People’s Republic of China has supported the rapid expansion of the scale and technological capacity of its distant-water fishing fleet, i.e. vessels operating beyond its exclusive economic zone. Continue reading “The Ever-widening Fishing Net of China”