Hargeisa- The three political parties are divided by anticipated UAE military base in Somaliland. The ruling party and Justice and Welfare Party support while Waddani rejects the government's decision to give the UAE a military base at Berbera, a strategic port city located at the Red Sea.

The Foreign Secretary of Waddani opposition party, Dr Mohamed Osman Fadal, who gave an exclusive interview to Somali Cable TV, criticized the government’s decision to accept the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to establish a military base in Somaliland’s main port city, Berbera.

The leader of the other opposition party, Justice and Welfare Party, backed the move and labelled it as a positive step forward.

The controversial deal is not yet formalized, according to the Minister of Civil Aviation who said the president accepted the proposal in principle.

United Arab Emirates asked Somaliland to give a military base at the strategic city of Berbera which is located at the Red Sea.

Currently the Minister of Civil Aviation is in the UAE along with Somaliland's Representative in the UAE, Mr Bashe Awil.

UAE owned company called Dubai Ports World was already awarded to 25 years of a concession agreement to manage and run Berbera port.

About the author

Jama Ahmed Jama is the Editor-in-Chief of Somaliland Daily.

Contact: editor@somalilanddaily.com