Waddani Party Accuses UAE of Meddling with Somaliland Stability

Somaliland main opposition party, Waddani, has yesterday criticized UAE government for interfering to the Somaliland politics and stability in collaboration with Kulmiye Administration.

Mr. Osman Afgab Nur, Waddani’s central committee chairman, reacted to the late visit of Somaliland president to the UAE and subsequent actions the ruling party has taken.

Mr. Nur pointed out that President Muse Bihi and UAE ruling elite have secretly agreed on projects which are dangerous to the stability of Somaliland.

He reiterated that one of the most alarming aspects of the president’s visit was when the foreign minister was briefing at Egal Airport said that “Somaliland and UAE agreed to undertake future collaboration between the two countries, to fight Islamic terrorism” Mr. Osman Afgab emphasized that “Islamic terror phenomena had not been present in Somaliland, in-fact Somaliland is free from any sort terrorism of any kind. But Kulmiye wants to target parts of the Somaliland population and stamp them, terrorists.

These allegations came at the same day when other two political parties, Kulmiye (the ruling party) and UCID (one of the two opposition parties), have signed an election resolution and proposing a six-point election roadmap, which Waddani was not part of the consultation.

Mr Nur responded that ” These actions are part of what Kulmiye administration colluded with UAE to destabilize Somaliland. It is impossible to hold elections without collective consultations and Somalilanders are not ready to take part in a partial election which the current National Election Commission (NEC) is overseeing the election preparations such as voter registration.

He claimed that the current NEC are corrupt and partial and Waddani party had stopped their cooperation one year ago, requests new NEC members to be selected in order for the elections to happen.

DP World at Berbera Port

UAE company Dubai Ports World has started an investment of around US Dollars 442 million to expand the port of Berbera which the UAE sees as very strategic in the Horn of Africa.

The Berbera port expansion is designed to equip the Somaliland port for major vessels and transform it into one of Africa’s pre-eminent facilities in the Republic of Somaliland.

UAE military base in Somaliland is also set to begin operating by June this year. The base will include a coastal-surveillance system.

There are many, especially the opposition, who had concerns about the UAE presence. They warn that Somaliland is at considerable risk of being diverted part – if not all – of the Yemen war, the Gulf rivalries and tug-of-war with Qatar and Turkey to Somaliland shores.

Also, Somaliland leaders had been criticized for poor bargaining in return for what Somaliland had given out.

Read also: Kulmiye, UCID Propose Election Roadmap