UAE, Somalia disagree over new port deal

People load a cargo ship at the Port of Berbera in Somaliland on December 5, 2015. PHOTO | AFP

A diplomatic row is looming between Somalia and the United Arab Emirates over last week’s controversial sale of a minority stake in Somaliland’s Port of Berbera to Ethiopia,  by UAE-owned Dubai ports operator DP World.

According to the deal which was signed last week and whose value was not disclosed, Ethiopia acquired a 19 per cent stake in in the port, while DP World and the republic of Somaliland retained 51 per cent and 30 per cent stakes, respectively, in the project.