Africa | DW.COM

South Africa: Zuma survives impeachment vote

South African lawmakers have voted against a motion to impeach President Jacob Zuma. Last week the Constitutional Court ruled that Zuma had violated the constitution by spending state money on his private home.

ICC drops charges against Kenyan Deputy President William Ruto

The International Criminal Court has dismissed the trial against the Kenyan leader for lack of evidence. The two were accused of fomenting ethnic tensions leading to over 1,000 deaths after the 2007 elections.

Germany: Bundeswehr in Mali 'important for Europe'

Germany's defense minister has said German soldiers stationed in Mali play a vital role tackling the problems forcing people to flee their homes. Von der Leyen visited troops during a trip to the West African country.

African public officials named in Panama Papers

African public officials are among the high-ranking figures to find their names in the leaked Panama Papers. Kofi Annan's son Kojo and a nephew of South Africa's President Zuma are among those listed in the disclosures.

Kenyan cartoonist Godfrey Mwampembwa (Gado) working on a new cartoon © Reuters/D. Jorgic

Kenyan cartoonist Gado: 'My role is to tell the truth'

Kenyan cartoonist Godfrey Mwampembwa, also known as Gado, is concerned about the state of press freedom in his country. The renowned satirist says Kenyan politicians have tightened their grip on the media.

Tansania Tuberkuloseforschung mit Ratten

Somaliland sets hopes on Berbera Port

Twenty-five years and counting

Since its establishment in 1991, the international community has stopped short of recognizing Somaliland as an independent state. But this quasi country continues to survive. Its isolation means little is known about it. Somaliland has 850 kilometers of unspoilt beaches. But Somaliland isn’t entirely forgotten, not regionally, hence potentially crucial ties with Ethiopia continue to strengthen.
Somaliland sets hopes on Berbera Port

Creeping conservatism

Poverty and unemployment in Somaliland remain stubbornly high. Some locals already express concern about a steady drift toward Islamic conservatism in Hargeisa: music no longer blares out from tea-shops and more women are adopting black Muslim 'abayas' rather than colorful Somali robes. Others, however, say religious conservatism co-exists in harmony with a liberal free market society.
Somaliland sets hopes on Berbera Port

Long road ahead

Somaliland officials hope that their country will benefit from their ties to neighboring Ethiopia and that some of Ethiopia's economic growth will rub off. But much investment is needed at Berbera Port before more ships can arrive. The smart asphalt road Ethiopia built to the shared border becomes less suited to heavy traffic on the Somaliland side.
Somaliland sets hopes on Berbera Port

Hargeisa phoenix

Somaliland’s tenacity finds its clearest demonstration in the capital, Hargeisa. "In 1991 it had been totally destroyed. It was rubble and waste," says Saeed Mohamoud, director of Horizon Institute, a Somaliland consultancy firm helping communities move towards development and stability. "Vital life was brought back by local entrepreneurs who took local 'dhow' boats to get supplies in Dubai."
Somaliland sets hopes on Berbera Port

Somali vigour

Nowadays, arrivals to the sun-blasted city of 800,000 people encounter a mish-mash of chaotic local market commerce alongside diaspora-funded construction. Amidst the market stalls, Hargeisa boasts glass-fronted office buildings, Wi-Fi enabled cafes and air-conditioned gyms, all suffused with characteristic Somali energy and dynamism.
Somaliland sets hopes on Berbera Port

Lifeline from diaspora and livestock

Somaliland depends on money sent by its diaspora—more than $400 million (352 million euros) annually—and livestock sales to Arab countries generating 65 percent of national income. Its government has a tiny budget and relies on the support of local clans. It is hard for any government to prove its efficacy to international organizations, local NGOs and the private sector.
Somaliland sets hopes on Berbera Port

Financial seclusion

Non-statehood deprives Somaliland of direct large-scale international support from institutions like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. For these members of the Somaliland Seaman’s Union at Berbera Port’s docks, it means they are not paid the same wages—they earn about $250 (220 euros) a month—as foreign workers as they do not belong to an internationally recognized organization.
Somaliland sets hopes on Berbera Port

Berbera Corridor

Crucial to this is Berbera, a name that conjures images of tropical quays, swarthy traders and fiery sunsets. Once an ancient nexus of maritime trade, Berbera has long been eclipsed by Djibouti’s ports to the north. Its old port now crumbles looking out onto half-sunken ships, while its modern port handles less than five percent of Ethiopia’s trade. But change is on its way.
Somaliland sets hopes on Berbera Port

Build and acknowledged

Berbera’s modern port is now on the brink of a major expansion. Somaliland and Ethiopia signed a trade agreement March 31, 2016 on using the port. Such developments could transform and return Berbera to operating as a regional transportation hub, help develop Somaliland, while funding its nation-building ambitions.
Somaliland sets hopes on Berbera Port

Stability, for now

Peace and security hold in Somaliland, so effectively that money-changers can safely stash bundles of cash on the street. But the country’s economic potential remains untapped, trapping its people in endless cycles of dependence. Patience may be running out, although locals do their best to welcome foreign visitors: "Thank you for coming," they often say. "Please tell people about our country."