Somaliland strategic location, peace and democracy has sourced an increased attention from influential political and economy players across the world.Horn of Africa is gearing towards a new order set off by a global competition of strategic interest by great powers in horn of Africa and the rising competition in horn of Africa gave extra advantage to Somaliland.  Geopolitical dynamics has created better economic benefits for Somaliland.  The peace climate in the region has focused strategic competition between global powers. Somaliland strategic location made Somaliland a major political player in horn of Africa. The geographical settings and political competition in horn of Africa made Somaliland regional player. At the heart of the era of new geopolitics struggle over the role and influence in horn of Africa, Somaliland peace, security, stability and democracy have generated Geopolitics advantage to Somaliland in view of the country’s strategic location.  This strategic location is to the gateway of the red sea, Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the canal Suez. It is also close to oil shipping routes in particular, the GCC countries. Somaliland strategic geopolitical history indicates its importance by world influential political players reason being it’s positioned in the center of attention in horn of Africa.  This strategic close is close to vital oil routes and its ports could also serve landlocked Ethiopia, which has a population of 100 million.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE increasingly view the Somaliland coastline as their “western security flank”, according to a senior western diplomat in the Horn of Africa region. Global terrorism and sea pirates have failed setting in Somaliland as Somaliland infernal security are in constant surveillance in cooperation with regional countries.   Approximately 6.2 million barrels per day (b/d) of crude oil and refined petroleum products flowed through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait toward Europe, the United States, and Asia in 2018. The red sea that borders with Somaliland extending towards canal Suez.  Bab el-Mandeb Strait which is chokepoint between the Horn of Africa and the Middle East linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden is crucial for Middle East oil that form major part of global economy.    Somaliland strategic location close to a region which is vital for global economy. The country strategic location is vital to the maritime of the red sea through which thousands of ships pass through every year. Above has created Geopolitics and Geo-strategy advantage in the favor of Somaliland which strategically uncontested. Diplomatic relationship between Somaliland and the majority of GCC countries is characterized ‘mutual interest. Somaliland port city, Berbera lies on the coast of Somaliland, facing the Gulf of Aden.

Berbera is the center of regional and big power competition reason being the port city close to one the important shipping routes in the world. Located at the mouth of the Red Sea, the port city has already attracted the interest from many political and economy players across the world and as a result, the political situation in horn of Africa made Somaliland close to international recognition.  DP world investment in Somaliland is not only an investment for the country, but it is also an investment for the people. Once completed, the expansion, it is expected to increase the port’s capacity from the current 150,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) to 450,000 TEUs.   Berbera which was traditional port for livestock trade will become one biggest logistic hubs in horn of Africa after completed the port expansion.

This investment deal offer Ethiopia alternative routes for its cargo from Djibouti.   The investment deal in Berbera has shifted balance of power in horn of Africa in favor of Somaliland.  The deal will encourage international investment, create much needed jobs and enhance the socioeconomic development not only for Somaliland but for the whole region.   DP World investment deal in Berbera has contributed second source of income to Somaliland and this will open further investment in Somaliland, this because Business and diplomacy have found fertile ground in Somaliland.   The investment deal has set Somaliland map in world political and Geographical map.  The investment deal will attract more shipping lines to East Africa and its modernization will act as a catalyst for the growth of the country and the region’s economy,” DP World chairman Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem said. Once completed, Berbera will see amount of increased traffic in view of port deal that will generate business boom and also will open a new global port operator an alternative hub to Djibouti in the Horn of Africa.  Somaliland port deal with DP world will be ‘channel growth for Somaliland as the port will attract more shipping lines to east Africa and will be regional trade logistics hub. It will attract more investment in Somaliland.

Somaliland offers good opportunities for profitable investment and those who got in early will see the greatest gains. Somaliland government has signaled its eagerness to attract Foreign Direct Investment considering the upgrading and expansion of the port. DP world investment deal with Somaliland has generated unlimited opportunities to Somaliland economic growth as this has generated foreign capital, promoted Somaliland diplomatic status quo and encouraged other investors to investment in Somaliland.  The horn of Africa being lies a very strategic location, world influential players have demonstrated an interest in horn of Africa this strategic location has generated geopolitics competition. Geopolitics which is described the analysis of the interaction and geographical settings focuses on political power linked to geographic space. Somaliland functions as an independent country like any country from the rest of the world.  The country has filled any requirement to be recognized diplomatically. The country being a multiparty system, Somaliland held multiple elections, seen five presidents take office, prints its own money, issues its own visas, its own flag, its own notational emblem and two house of  parliamentary  that pass and enact laws.  Zooming up, Somaliland has played a crucial role in global politics

BY; Ismail Lugweyne