Investigative Reports

Security Reform vs. Security Risk: Weighing the Implications of Somaliland’s Military Biometric System

Key Points Somaliland's biometric registration of security personnel aims to...

The Diplomacy of Gullibility: How Somaliland’s Foreign Ministry Keeps Falling for International Fraudsters

In what has become a familiar scene in Somaliland's...

Ex-US Ambassador to Somalia Lobbies for Hormuud’s Access to American Banking System

Questions mount as André partners with Somali MP who...
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These African World Heritage Sites are under threat from climate change

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Joanne Clarke, University of East Anglia; Elizabeth Edna Wangui, Ohio University; Grace W. Ngaruiya, Kenyatta University, and Nick Brooks, University of East Anglia

Very few academics or policy makers are talking about the impact of climate change on heritage. Yet heritage is essential for social wellbeing, for identity creation, for safeguarding traditional knowledge and livelihoods and for sustainable development.

The conversations taking place are mainly on the effects of climate change in wealthier countries. One recent study estimates that only 1% of research on the impacts of climate change on heritage is related to Africa. Yet climate change has already resulted in loss and damage to African heritage.

Three of us are contributing authors to the Africa chapter of the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change’s sixth assessment report. Our research for the report has drawn our attention to the total lack of quantifiable data on the impacts of climate change on heritage in sub-Saharan Africa. So we teamed up with a climate scientist with years of experience working on the continent and set about highlighting the threat of different kinds of climate change and climate variability to heritage in Africa.

Our research is conclusive. Without significant intervention some of Africa’s most important heritage will be lost as a result of the direct and indirect impacts of climate change over the coming decades. There is a need for research into the impacts of climate change on different forms of cultural heritage in Africa, and to highlight the possible harmful effects these losses will have on society more generally.

The next ten years will be a critical period in which research agendas can be developed that will have a practical application for the management of African heritage in the face of climate change.

The bad news

Coastal erosion and sea-level rise have damaged African World Heritage Sites. The Roman city of Sabratha on the Libyan coast and the colonial forts along the coastline of Ghana are slipping into the sea. Natural sites are also under threat. Relict Guinean coastal forests have largely disappeared, partly through coastal erosion.

By 2050, Guinea, The Gambia, Nigeria, Togo, Bénin, Congo, Tunisia, Tanzania (including Zanzibar) and the Comoros will all be at significant risk from coastal erosion and sea-level rise.

The view from the heart of Stone Town in Zanzibar. ALEXIS TOUREAU/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

Villages and towns associated with the historic Swahili Indian Ocean trading networks are all forecast to suffer significant loss from sea-level rise and coastal erosion in the coming decades. These are almost all located on the coasts of Mozambique, mainland Tanzania, Kenya, the Comoro Islands, Zanzibar and Madagascar.

A host of unique heritage locations are built on coral, sand or mud – all at elevations less than 10 metres above sea level. These include Ibo Island in the Quirimbas Archipelago in northern Mozambique, Shanga and Pate islands in Kenya, Pemba and the ruins of Kaole in Tanzania, Mahilaka in Madagascar and Suakin in Sudan. A combination of underlying geology and low elevation make these sites extremely vulnerable to coastal erosion.

In addition, low-lying World Heritage Sites that are densely populated, such as Lamu Old Town and the Stone Town of Zanzibar, are located in regions of Africa predicted to be most severely impacted by shoreline retreat.

Inland of the coast, the World Heritage mud-built town of Djenné, on the Inland Niger Delta, is suffering multiple threats, exacerbated by climate change. Rock art sites in the Golden Gate Highlands National Park in South Africa are experiencing biodeterioration due to microbial activity arising from increased humidity.

But African heritage is predominantly lived heritage, which presents unique opportunities for heritage conservation.

Why a site like Djenné matters

Take Djenné in Mali, a town composed almost entirely of earthen buildings. Because of its unique vernacular architecture and its iconic mosque, it was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1988. There has been a conspicuous degradation of its mud architecture. The reasons are complex but climate change has definitely worsened the process of loss.

A 2019 aerial view shows the Niger river and the historic Malian city of Djenné. MICHELE CATTANI/AFP via Getty Images

The lowering of the high water stand of the Inland Niger Delta has meant high quality mud has become scarcer. Mud bricks must be sourced further afield at greater cost, which locals simply can’t afford. The result is buildings being repaired in cheaper materials such as concrete and fired clay bricks.

Traditional building methods are often perceived as being at odds with modernity and globalisation. But earthen buildings such as those at Djenné emit fewer greenhouse gases, consume less energy and maintain a high level of internal thermal comfort. They are more sustainable against climate change than brick and breeze block construction.

Some hope

Heritage has unseen potential. Traditional custodianship and community engagement will be at the forefront of a sustainable future.

The good news is that five years ago the World Heritage Convention adopted Unesco’s World Heritage and Sustainable Development Policy. The policy is built on the principles of human rights, equality and long-term sustainability. It’s potentially groundbreaking for African heritage, which has been beset by a colonial legacy of centralised heritage management.

It represents an opportunity for the restoration of traditional custodianship and local community engagement in heritage management. As heritage is reinserted into local lifeways, communities are able to reengage with traditional ways of doing things, which are often much more in tune with the environment. In this, African countries have the opportunity to be at the forefront of sustainable development.

And in our intergovernmental climate report, the Africa chapter has for the first time included heritage in its assessment. It identifies heritage as critical for a sustainable future.

Resetting the research agenda towards a sustainable heritage in the face of climate change will not only enable reengagement with the past, but will help mitigate the impacts of climate change beyond heritage.

Joanne Clarke, Senior lecturer, University of East Anglia; Elizabeth Edna Wangui, Associate professor, Ohio University; Grace W. Ngaruiya, Lecturer, Kenyatta University, and Nick Brooks, Research fellow, University of East Anglia

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.

Ministry of education and Science Announces the Results of 2019-2020 High School Final Exams

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The Ministry of Education and Science of Somaliland has announced the result of the high school final exams and according to a brief statement on the Ministry’s Facebook page from 184 around the country. Out of 10,537 students, none have failed, where only 84 students were absent.

Students from Togdheer and Awdal regions of Somaliland had the best scores in the country, despite their combined total students being less than Maroodijeeh.

The results published by the Ministry of Education show a disproportionate number of students performing poorly especially from Maroodijeeh region the largest school district in Somaliland almost half of its 4213 students had grades of C-, D, and D+.

Exam results by grade/region
Exam results by region/grade

Due to the COVID-19, schools in Somaliland were closed since March 19th, 2020 as part of the efforts to prevent the spread of the virus and education programs were telecast on Radio and Television.

The Ministry of Education and Science did not administer an exam to 8th-grade students and instead has evaluated that their past score average. It is unclear if all students will be allowed to advance to secondary school.

In addition, the exam for the high school seniors was conducted in one day, instead of the traditional weeklong schedule. Students had to sit for 10 exams back to back in one day. According to the Ministry, this was part of its efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

No actual data was shared by the Ministry to clean how specific schools have performed, particularly public vs private schools. It is unclear how these exam results will affect student’s university and college entrance in Somaliland or overseas.

The Minister of Education and Science Hon. Ahmed Mohamed Diriye Egeh did not respond to request to provide more information about the exam results, to what extend did COVID-19 school closure affect the results and if he considered the telecast of education programs on Radio and Television was an effective substitute for actual classrooms.

Somaliland Ministry of Finance Development unveiled a tax arbitration committee

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Iconic Dragon’s Blood Tree on Daallo Mountain Cliff Cutdown

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A video of the destruction of an iconic tree on a cliff in Daalo mountain has emerged online. According to the video, the tree was removed by members of Somaliland’s armed forces to ensure the safety of the public who may want to take photos on the tree.

It is unclear if other measures to prevent the public from accessing the tree and the dangerous cliff were considered before its removal.

Daallo mountain is a lush national park located north of Erigavo in the Sanaag region of Somaliland and is home to rare plants including the endangered Gebel Elba Dragon’s Blood Tree.

According to media reports, the Minister of Environment and Rural Development, Hon Shukri Haji Bandari stated that her ministry will be taking legal action against the troops who destroyed the tree.

President Bihi rejected Chinese Delegation’s Offer of Conditional Development Package

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According to sources from Somaliland government, The President of the Republic of Somaliland HE Muse Bihi Abdi met with the Chinese delegation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the China’s Ambassador to Somalia Mr. Qin Jian who was in Hargeisa since August 1st.

Ambassador Jian whose efforts to meet with President Bihi were unsuccessful was reinforced by high-ranking officials from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on late Tuesday.

According to sources privy to series of meetings that took several hours, the Chinese delegation has presented a development package including road and airport infrastructure and the establishment of Liaison Office in Somaliland to President Bihi and members of his cabinet on the condition that Somaliland immediately halts its bilateral ties with Taiwan.

Sources add that President Bihi has rejected the delegation’s conditional offer and informed them that contrary to their request to cut ties with Taiwan, Somaliland is in fact working to strengthen diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

The meetings were attended by members of President Bihi’s cabinet including Dr. Saad Ali Shire the Minister of Finance Development, Hon. Mohamoud Hassan Saad (Saajin) the Minister of Commerce and Hon. Jama Egal the Minister of Minerals Resources and Energy.

The People’s Republic of China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has strongly opposed the establishment of bilateral ties with Somaliland.

President Bihi has asked close confidants to explore ways to strengthen Somaliland’s bilateral ties with Taiwan and explore the possibility of mutual recognition between Taiwan and Somaliland and close examination of the TAIPEI Act.

Although China has been successful in the past in preventing Taiwan establish bilateral ties with other African nations, this is the second time Somaliland is rebuffing China’s efforts to prevent bilateral ties between the two countries.

Breaking – Chinese Government Delegation to Visit Somaliland

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According to sources from Somaliland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, a delegation from the People’s Republic of China is due to arrive in Hargeisa as early as tomorrow. The Chinese Ambassador to Somalia Mr. Qin Jian has been in Hargeisa since August 1st.

Although no information about the agenda or details on the members of the delegation, sources indicate the delegation consists of high-ranking officials from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and will be arriving from Beijing.

It is unclear if President Bihi who previously declined to meet with Ambassador Jian will meet with the delegation from the Foreign Affairs Ministry. Somaliland has rebuffed China’s previous attempt to dissuade it from establishing bilateral ties with Taiwan.

China who claims Taiwan as part of its territory has made its position clear on Somaliland’s independence and together with Villa Somalia has registered strong opposition to the establishment of bilateral ties with Taiwan.

Somaliland is currently looking to strengthen its ties with Taiwan and is reviewing options for mutual or unilateral recognition.

Efforts to reach Ambassador Jian and the Chinese Embassy in Somalia for comments on the delegation was unsuccessful.

Breaking – Somaliland is preparing to recognize Taiwan

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According to sources, the President of the Republic of Somaliland HE Muse Bihi Abdi has instructed close confidants to explore ways to strengthen Somaliland’s bilateral ties with Taiwan and explore the possibility of mutual recognition between Taiwan and Somaliland.

Sources who spoke to Somaliland Chronicle on condition of anonymity added that President Bihi has ordered a close examination of a law recently passed by the United States Congress known as the TAIPEI Act, and to immediately provide him with recommendations, and risk analysis on the pros and cons of unilateral recognition of Taiwan.

As a response to China’s aggressive policy preventing other countries from recognizing or maintaining diplomatic ties Taiwan, the United States Congress unanimously passed the Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative or the TAIPEI Act on March 26, 2020.

Section 3 of The TAIPEI Act explicitly encourages diplomatic and bilateral ties with Taiwan and discourages countries from any actions that undermine Taiwan.

President of Taiwan Tsai Ing-wen TAIPEI Act sponsors U.S. Senator Cory Gardner

Previously, the Whitehouse Security Council has praised Taiwan’s engagement in East Africa after Taipei and Hargeisa established bilateral ties on July 1st, 2020. Somaliland has had a string of diplomatic successes recently due to its strategic location in the Horn of Africa where Ethiopia and Egypt are now competing for closer ties with Somaliland.

Somalia’s opposition to Somaliland – Taiwan’s diplomatic ties and alignment with China, puts the United States Embassy in Somalia and Ambassador Donald Yamamoto who has thrown his full support behind President Mohamed Abdillahi Farmajo out of step with the rest of the United States government and specifically with TAIPEI Act.

Chinese Ambassador to Somalia Mr. Qin Jian

The Chinese Ambassador to Somalia Mr. Qin Jian arrived in Hargeisa yesterday for the third time this year and according to sources, President Bihi has rejected meeting the Chinese Ambassador who remains in Hargeisa. It is unclear if the latest visit of Ambassador Jian to Hargeisa is related to Somaliland’s potential recognition of Taiwan. Somaliland has previously rejected China’s demand to cut ties with Taiwan.

It is unclear how or who allowed the Chinese Ambassador to Somalia to return Somaliland after the statement from Villa Somalia reiterating China’s commitment to the territorial integrity of Somalia.

In addition, China and Somalia recently reached an agreement for joint patrols of Somaliland’s territorial waters.

Currently, fifteen countries around the world recognize Taiwan and after Eswatini, Somaliland would be the second country in Africa to officially recognize Taiwan.

Chinese Ambassador to Somalia Visits Somaliland

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According to sources from Somaliland government, the Chinese Ambassador to Somalia Mr. Qin Jian arrived in Hargeisa today for talks with officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperations and representatives from the President’s office.

Sources add that the Ambassador’s itinerary does not include a meeting with President Muse Bihi Abdi.

This is the third visit by Mr. Qin Jian to Somaliland. The Ambassador’s visits were centered around dissuading Somaliland from establishing bilateral ties with Taiwan. According to sources, Somaliland has strongly rebuffed the Ambassador’s offer for a Chinese liaison office in Hargeisa in exchange for ceasing talks with Taipei.

Chinese Ambassador together with the President of Somalia Mr. Mohamed Abdillahi Farmajo issued a strong statement opposing the bilateral ties between Somaliland and Taiwan and reiterated their mutual commitment to the territorial integrity of China and Somalia.

Similar to Somalia’s territorial claim over Somaliland, China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and opposes any diplomatic ties with Taipei.

It is unclear if Ambassador Jian’s mission to Somaliland is to deliver an ultimatum from Beijing given his country’s strong statement and commitment to Somalia’s territorial integrity and opposition to Somaliland’s independence.

China and Somalia recently reached an agreement for joint patrols of Somaliland’s territorial waters.

Efforts to reach Somaliland government officials for more information about Ambassador Jian’s visit were unsuccessful.

Key Projects Starving for Optimized FDI Policy in Somaliland

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There are quite a few key projects, institutions, and associations that are critical for meaningful economic growth in Somaliland that demand optimization of Somaliland national policy for Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) in the light of recent partnership and alliance with Taiwan. FDI plays a vital role in sustaining a viable domestic economy. In Asia, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Vietnam are the emerging economic powers that continued to attract significant amounts of foreign investment due to refining their foreign investment policy, and Somaliland should model after them.

In developing as well as in third world countries, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is an indispensable long term funding source for many basic pillars of the economy to achieve tangible and sustainable development.

The core incentives, that are critical in any given country, for attracting FDI are the country’s economic policy and the performance of institutions that serve that policy, setting aside the de jure recognition of the country as many countries, enjoying with international recognition, are ruled by dictators and juntas who only engage in stealing national resources for their own interests – a practice that shuts the doors on any foreign investment.  Arguably, this is a testament to the fact that Somaliland’s de facto status cannot be considered a barrier to any FDI procurement if the contributing conditions and the environment for this end are adopted within Somaliland.

With the exception of small aids from UN agencies such as UN Development Programs and the developmental aid from several European partner countries channeled through Somaliland Development Fund, the first major Foreign Direct Investment came in 2016 when DP World won a 30-year concession for the port of Berbera. This cooperation between Somaliland and Taiwan is the second breakthrough for a potential FDI in this young nascent nation with an almost population of 5 million.

Somaliland is naturally situated in a prime geopolitical location and is the gateway to Africa, but she is in dire need of international relations with other countries, whereas, Taiwan is economically developed with international trade relations but has little support in Africa.

That being so, for this cooperation between Somaliland and Taiwan to mature and grow, the Somaliland government needs to establish new institutions: Somaliland Development Bank and Somaliland Investment Commission, similar to Ethiopia’s autonomous government institution known as EIC, that would foster development and investment, and revamp existing institutions such as the Somaliland Chamber of Commerce Industry and Agriculture that has no presence at all in the world wide web yet. In the private sector also, effective Businesses Associations in commerce, trade, and service sectors of the economy must be in place so that they can have an influence on and be another layer of creative minds in the foreign direct investment discourse. The Somaliland Development Bank will be the authority to manage investment finances and oversee projects in the country, whereas Somaliland Investment Commission will be the machinery distributing the shares into the projects to be implemented as well as to the interested local investors in the country, and also selecting the individuals that would be managing these projects collectively as a Board of directors.

The high priority projects that Somaliland needs at the moment are

Berbera Cement Factory

(estimated to cost US$ 100 Million)

The Berbera Cement Factory has become a never-ending project for the country that could have been dealt with in the past to make it productive by now. But unfortunately, that is not the case, and for this project to take off the ground it must become one of the ventures on the table for this new cooperation with Taiwan with two possible options:

  1. The first option is for Taiwan or Taiwanese companies to invest in the project and run it for a fixed period of term for recouping the initial investment with a nominal profit, and then transfer its ownership  to a joint venture managed by the Somaliland government and Taiwan interest holders upon completion of that tenure, after settling the ratio of profit sharing for the life of the venture
  2. The second option is for Taiwan and Somaliland to co-own just like the Berbera port – DP World deal, each of which contributes 50% of the project cost and shares profits in the same ratio for a limited period of time allowing both parties to recover the initial investment. At the end of this period, the project becomes a joint venture. The Somaliland government can transfer its share to Somaliland investors if it is unable to provide the money.

Coal Powered Electricity Plant

(estimated to cost US$350- 450 Million)

Taiwan produces 30% of its electricity from coal and is the 14th largest consumer of coal in the world. Because of this, Taiwan averages 7 cents/Kwh (about US$153 a month, per customer, using 1,000 kWh.). The electricity generated from nuclear power costs 1.9 cents/kWh, coal 7 cents/kWh, and Natural Gas US 11.25 cents/kWh. Power consumption in Taiwan is broken down into 18.2% for households, 54% for factors, & 18.5% for routine business.

In Somaliland, the light industries necessary for taking the country to the next phase of development necessitates first the production and availability of cheap electricity in the country. For example, the Berbera Cement Factory needs a lot of inexpensive electricity to make a profit and at the same time supply cheap cement, otherwise imported cement would be cheaper than domestically produced one.

Somaliland is said to be rich in coal reserves and extraction of this natural resource is another potential project for FDI that Taiwan can invest in. If the exploration of coal reserves in the country uncovers huge deposits of coal, then that needs to be tapped into, A huge revenue would be earned out of it and the surplus production, if any, could be exported to either elsewhere or to Taiwan, offsetting the repayment of any investment loans owed.

According to some informed sources, a Chinese company that came to Somaliland to extract coal reserves and then planning to use it to generate electricity sufficient for the whole nation was sued by the Somali Federal Government, prompting it eventually to leave Somaliland because of that threat.

When implementing this power plant, the two funding and financing options mentioned above should be followed. In addition, the existing power companies in the country should be given a stake in the new power plant, with their assets first valued and exchanged for an equivalent share.

Fossil Fuel and Liquefied Natural Gas

Oodweyne Blocks acquired by Genel Energy

CPC Corporation is a Taiwanese government-owned company that was founded on June 1st, 1946 solely for the energy needs of that country. This company explores, drills, refines and sells petroleum and natural gas. Although Taiwan consumes 1.1 million barrels of fossil fuel, it produces only 28,000 barrels of petroleum per day.

Somaliland is said to contain reservoirs of crude oil and natural gas, and in August 2012, Genel was awarded an exploration license for onshore blocks SL-10-B and SL-13, potentially targeting 2 billion barrels of oil. As widely believed in Somaliland, the exploration phase, as well as data collection, are complete and the drilling phase may undergo soon.

It is important that these companies contracted to extract oil and gas from the country, not to waste too much time, but to come up with a comprehensive plan that shows expected production and completion time.  If that does not happen, this would be another opportunity for Taiwan to become involved in oil and gas production and later become a market.

On the other hand, global oil prices have fallen and will remain so for a year or two, according to forecasts.  In the United States alone, many oil companies have closed down and oil rigs are mostly idle. Now is the best time to expedite those undertakings, as it requires a small investment.

National Airline Carrier with Somaliland Logo

There should be permanent whether direct or indirect incoming and outgoing flights that provide the connection between Somaliland and the rest of the world.  This service is very important for the Somaliland state at the moment, and it should not be outsourced to individual citizens but rather should be under the control of Somaliland Civil Aviation and Airports Authority. 

Flydubai airline taxing at Egal airport in Hargeisa, Somaliland

Before the movement disruption due to COVID-19 pandemic, three foreign airlines: Flydubai, Air Arabia, and Ethiopian Airlines were operating in Somaliland, two of which were based in the UAE.  Somaliland nationals have entered into representation agreements with foreign airlines, and then the government blessed their contracts by granting permission to operate.

It is in the interest of Somaliland to have a national airline bearing Somaliland logo that operates flights both inside and outside the country, when you look at the debate between Somalia and Somaliland on the airspace management and how the foreign-owned airlines can easily fall into the traps of Somalia. An instance of this is when the Flydubai flight to Hargeisa responded to a request from Somali’s AirTraffic Control sending the flight back to Dubai. Subsequently, the Somaliland government revoked the licenses of both Flydubai and Air Arabiya.

Dams for Crop Irrigation & Livestock Water

In the spring every year, the powerful rushing water in Somaliland’s major waterways and streams carry away heavy vehicles, and many lives are lost due drowning, before eventually flowing into the sea. Medium size dams are what Somaliland needs in order to capture the rainy season water in all regions throughout the country. The Ambouli Friendship Dam constructed by the Turkish state-run agency State Hydraulic Works (DSİ) in Djibouti cost 20 million US Dollars, according to published reports. Somaliland needs, at least, three dams like the one in Djibouti that can be financed with foreign direct investments.

    Major Livestock Markets in Somaliland

In order for these dams to be productive and beneficial, large scale farms of 10,000 – 20,000 hectares and livestock ranches must be built adjacent to them, growing locally both the food country needs and the feed consumed by the livestock destined for export. Large-scale agricultural farms, like the cement factory and coal-powered plant, would be an opportunity for Somaliland investors if the concept of pooling share is embraced. Livestock export from Somaliland to the Arabian Peninsula countries is an important economic activity and the main source of Somaliland’s foreign exchange earnings. The epicenter of livestock exports in the Horn of Africa region is Somaliland. Togwajale, Hargeisa, and Burao host terminal markets in Somaliland attracting livestock herds for export from within Somaliland, eastern Ethiopia, and south-central Somalia. The best and prime places to build dams are in these three cities.

Zoning Land for Industrial Parks

As always believed, the function determines the form, and designating land exclusively for different purposes is important. An industrial park is an area dedicated or zoned solely for industrial uses rather than residential or commercial ones. It is just like business or office parks. It is an area concentrated with warehouses, distribution centers, and small factories with dedicated power and water supply and waste management facilities.

Taiwan is one of the highly industrialized countries in the world, and China’s economic growth, in the last four decades, has been made possible with the investments derived from Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Many Taiwanese companies are based in China and employ millions of Chinese workers.  At present, the deteriorating relationship between China and Taiwan forces many Taiwanese companies to move out of China to other Asian countries.

At the onset of the relationship, Taiwan hinted to help the IT and many other sectors in Somaliland. So we should ask Taiwan to assist us in the field of industry, especially electronics and textile manufacturers, as Taiwanese companies would establish industrial parks in Somaliland.

Industrial park jobs usually involve assembling lines like electronics and fabric manufacturing for apparel making. The project could create jobs for unemployed Somaliland youth.  In addition, industrial parks in Somaliland can easily feed demands coming from Africa, the Middle East and Europe.

Hawassa Industrial Park in Ethiopia

Industrial Parks Development Corporation of Ethiopia (IPDC) is the entity behind the development of ten industrial parks in Ethiopia, including Hawassa Industrial Park.  Hawassa Industrial Parks is home to 50 international apparel companies, employs approximately 60,000 people and generates US $ 1 billion annually.  Since Ethiopia does not have easy access to ports, raw materials must be transported in trucks, and exported garments must be transported back to the ports in trucks.  But unlike in Ethiopia, Berbera port facilitates cuts short the long bidirectional hauls. This is an advantage that industrial parks in Somaliland have over those in Ethiopia.

Finally, although Taiwan is a rich and independent country, China, which is richer and more powerful, claims her to be part of it. Somaliland has preferred Taiwan over having a relationship with China. So, it is incumbent upon Taiwan to reward Somaliland for this courageous step with foreign direct investments that Somaliland so desperately needs.

If these projects are implemented with Taiwanese investments, in a year or two, they would pay off the investment capital , and the public would benefit in terms of job creations. It is certain that many African countries and third countries with ties to China would switch sides, if this relationship between Somaliland and Taiwan becomes a success story.

The success of this partnership does not mainly depend on what Taiwan offers to Somaliland, but it would tremendously fall on what Somaliland is willing to enact as well as to reform. . Therefore, Somaliland must first draft a number of laws such as the Investment Law, the Banking Law, and Shareholders Law. At the same time, in the upcoming elections for the House of Representatives and the Local Government Councilmen, candidates in line with Somaliland development goals must be elected.

If Somaliland wants to compete in the world arena and gain trust that attracts foreign direct investment, the leadership of the various branches of the Somaliland government must be competent and capable of efficiently discharging their obligations. If clueless and corruption-minded folks, who do not know what is going on in the world, come back again for the next fives, the main culprits of this crime would be the party leaders and the electorate who settled with mediocre public officials.

About the Authors:

Omer A Yussuf is an Electrical Engineer with California Transportation Department’s Traffic Division, Oakland, California and can be reached at Omaryousuf455@gmail.com

Ahmed J Yassin is a Clinical Laboratory Professional with UF Healthcare, Jacksonville Florida and can be reached at ajyassin4@gmail.com

Disclaimer: The viewpoints expressed by the authors do not necessarily reflect the opinions, viewpoints of Somaliland Chronicle, and its staff. 

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Notice: This article by Somaliland Chronicle is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Under this license, all reprints and non-commercial distribution of this work is permitted.

China and Somalia agree to joint patrols on Somaliland’s territorial waters on the Red Sea

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According to diplomatic and defense sources briefed on the matter, The People’s Republic of China and the Somalia Federal Government have agreed to conduct joint naval patrols in the Red Sea. As part of the agreement which has not been made public, Somalia is to withdraw from its membership of the Red Sea Initiative.

Sources add that the agreement is a direct result of the recently established Somaliland – Taiwan bilateral ties.

Both China and Somalia have condemned the bilateral ties between Taiwan and Somaliland as a violation of their sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Although the White House National Security Council has indirectly welcomed the new ties between Somaliland and Taiwan, neither country is formally recognized.

The PLA’s Logistics Support Base in Djibouti is China’s only overseas military installation and is part of its Strings of Pearl naval strategy that seeks a dominant role in the Red Sea.

The United States has expressed concerns over the Chinese military’s base in Djibouti and particularly its proximity to its Africa Command base and Djibouti’s long-term viability as a host given its heavy debt obligations to China.

Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti – Military Bases

On July 21st, President of the Republic of Somaliland HE Muse Bihi Abdi, addressing police and army cadet graduates reiterated Somaliland’s stance on the Red Sea Initiative and without mentioning the Somalia – China agreement.

Sources who spoke to Somaliland Chronicle confirm that President Bihi and few cabinet members have been briefed on the agreement between China and Somalia. It is unclear if Somaliland has formulated a strategy to prevent Chinese naval forces in its territorial waters.

It is unclear if the agreement will go into effect given Somalia’s tense political atmosphere following the ouster of the Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire by a surprise parliamentary no vote of confidence on Saturday.

US conducts airstrike in Somalia as its prime minister visits ...
Former Somali Prime Minister Mr. Hassan Ali Khaire with Former National Security Advisor Mr. John Bolton in Washington DC

During a two day internet shut off in Mogadishu, the Somali President Mr. Mohamed Abdillahi Farmajo has carried out a purge of the former Prime Minister’s allies from security, law enforcement, and other areas of the Somali government.

Somalia’s western backers have unanimously condemned the removal of Prime Minister Khaire and warned against term extension. The United States Embassy in Somalia went a step further and threatened unspecified actions against what it called “spoilers”.