Erigavo, Somaliland – Following the successful conclusion of a landmark peace conference, Sultan Said Sultan Abdisalan has lauded the collective effort and issued a resolute call for sustained unity, defining Erigavo as a shared home for all its inhabitants.

The Sultan expressed his profound appreciation for the leadership of the President of Somaliland and all participants, acknowledging their role in a gathering that has laid a solid foundation for lasting harmony in the Sanaag region.

In a statement that underscored the city’s communal spirit, Sultan Said declared, “Erigavo belongs to us all—it is a city of brothers and sisters.” He extended an open invitation to those not present to join the peace process, emphasizing that collective security and prosperity are universal aspirations.

“Our sole aim is the well-being of our nation and its people,” he affirmed, highlighting the selfless commitment driving the reconciliation efforts.

The Sultan called upon the entire Sanaag community—including elders, women, youth, religious leaders, and local authorities—to take primary responsibility for nurturing the newly established peace. “We are the ones who can establish and maintain peace in Erigavo,” he stated, urging a grassroots-driven approach to restore the region’s dignity and unity.

While praising the government and appointed committees for their pivotal roles, Sultan Said pledged his unwavering dedication to completing the journey ahead. “We have fulfilled our duty and are ready to finish what remains,” he vowed.

The Erigavo peace conference is heralded as a definitive turning point for Sanaag, uniting its people behind a common vision of stability and progress and signaling the promise of a more prosperous future.

ERIGAVO, Somaliland – In a significant stride toward lasting stability, the Peace Conference convened in Erigavo concluded today with the adoption of a six-point resolution framework, charting a collective course for reconciliation and progress in the Sanaag region.

Presiding over the proceedings, Hon. Osman Ibrahim Nur, Somaliland’s Minister of Transport and Road Development and Chairman of the national Peace Committee, presented the final resolutions to a gathering of community leaders and representatives, who demonstrated a unified commitment to a peaceful future.

The conference yielded the following six foundational resolutions:

1. A Foundational Commitment to Peace: Communities across Sanaag have solemnly pledged to foster and maintain peaceful coexistence, with a specific focus on Erigavo and its surrounding areas, to ensure a stable and harmonious social fabric.
2. Unified Support for National Sovereignty: The delegates unanimously affirmed their dedication to the security and unity of Sanaag, concurrently declaring their steadfast support for the statehood and sovereignty of the Republic of Somaliland.
3. A Mandate for Active Reconciliation: The resolution calls for sustained, proactive outreach to promote the peace framework and integrate all parties, including those absent from the current dialogue, under the auspices of the presidential peace initiative.
4. Accelerated Development Imperative: Citing the urgent need for socio-economic advancement, the communities called upon the Somaliland government to prioritize and expedite essential development projects to address critical infrastructure and service gaps in the region.
5. Integrated Security Mechanism: A collaborative security architecture was endorsed, wherein the Somaliland government will work in concert with local communities to lead and consolidate regional security, decisively countering threats to public order.
6. Tribute to Presidential Leadership: The conference expressed profound gratitude to the President of Somaliland for his pivotal role in initiating and championing the peace process, acknowledging his efforts as instrumental in achieving national cohesion.

The Erigavo Peace Conference stands as a definitive moment for Sanaag, establishing a robust framework for collaboration and signaling the dawn of a new era focused on shared prosperity and enduring peace for its people and for all of Somaliland.

Erigavo – A major peace conference officially commenced today in Erigavo, the administrative capital of the Sanaag region, with President Abdirahman Cirro presiding over the opening ceremony.

The summit focuses on finalizing reconciliation efforts and resolving persistent conflicts that escalated in the region at the end of the previous year. The high-level meeting aims to build upon recent peace-building initiatives that have been underway in the area.

President Cirro’s visit to Erigavo marks his first official trip to the city. He is expected to be joined later today by Sultan Said Sultan Abdisalam Sultan Mahmoud Ali Shire, the Grand Sultan of Warsengeli who will participate in the ongoing peace negotiations.

DP World has unveiled a new strategic shipping route linking Jebel Ali Port in the UAE to Berbera Port in Somaliland

Operating every nine days, the service strengthens DP World’s global network and enhances Berbera’s position as a key logistics hub and maritime gateway in East Africa.

The Jebel Ali–Berbera route improves trade connectivity between the Gulf and East Africa, providing a faster maritime link to Somaliland. Scheduled stops at Aden and Djibouti further expand access to vital port cities, enabling smoother connections to markets across the Horn of Africa.

From Berbera, cargo can reach inland destinations, including Ethiopia, offering an alternative to the traditional Djibouti Port-dependent overland routes. The service also promises more predictable transit times while mitigating risks from regional bottlenecks.

Berbera Port features a 1,050-metre quay with a 400-metre section capable of handling Triple E vessels, extensive bulk and breakbulk facilities, and an annual livestock handling capacity of around four million heads.

Ganesh Raj, group chief operating officer, Marine Services at DP World, said, “The Jebel Ali to Berbera service further complements our investment drive into Africa. Building on the significant infrastructure we have developed across the continent, the service enhances connectivity for our customers as we continue to boost trade links between the Middle East and East Africa.”

“In doing so, we are supporting the growth of resilient, sustainable corridors that unlock prosperity for our partners, customers and the communities we serve,” he added.

Berbera is home to the region’s most modern container terminal and the Berbera Special Economic Zone (BSEZ), designed to attract foreign investment and support long-term industrial growth.

DP World holds a 58.5% stake in the Berbera container and general cargo terminal, providing deep-water access to major East–West shipping lanes. The nearby Berbera Economic Zone further accelerates local industrialisation, while the port handles over 4.1 million heads of livestock annually, generating trade worth more than US$1bn.

Community initiatives, including training the region’s first “Solar Mamas” as solar-energy technicians, illustrate how trade infrastructure can deliver economic and social benefits.

Supachai Wattanaveerachai, CEO, DP World Horn of Africa, commented, “The launch of this new corridor is a milestone in our ambition to build faster, safer, and more reliable trade routes. It reflects our commitment to creating meaningful economic benefits for businesses and communities in the region.”

“Our work in Berbera is already stimulating trade and industry, while supporting wider community development. Looking ahead, this service will strengthen Berbera’s role as a gateway for East Africa’s future growth and prosperity,” he added.

Nearly 50 Staff Members of Consilient Research Centre Detained in Somaliland

Hargeisa – For the past two nights, public discourse has been dominated by talk of an event titled, ‘Understanding Federalism, Constitutional Review, and Elections in Somalia,’ which was being organized by the Hargeisa-based Consilient Research group.

Reports now confirm that Somaliland’s security forces have detained several individuals involved in organizing the forum. Those arrested are said to include both Somalis and foreign nationals.

The organization, whose website shows it undertakes numerous projects, including some linked to the Somalia Stability Fund, had circulated an invitation for this three-night forum on Somali elections, scheduled to be held in Hargeisa. The plan sparked a strong public backlash, which was particularly visible on social media, with many Somalilander youth accusing the government of allowing a reopening of political dialogue between Somaliland and Somalia.

In response to this public pressure, the police appear to have taken this preemptive step to halt the forum.

It remains unclear who was behind the initiative to host a program concerning Somalia’s constitution and elections in Hargeisa, where political matters pertaining to Somalia are not permitted. Somaliland declared its independence from Somalia in 1991, and the Consilient Research group remains in custody.

Neither the security forces nor the government have yet made any official statement regarding the planned forum or the reported police action.

HARGEISA – The President of the Republic of Somaliland, H.E. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Cirro), convened a briefing meeting with the nation’s business leaders today. The session focused on the overall progress of national affairs, with particular emphasis on the outcomes of the President’s recent working visits to the United Arab Emirates and Ethiopia.

President Cirro provided a detailed account of the diplomatic achievements from his high-level talks, highlighting strengthened bilateral partnerships in critical sectors including security, trade, investment, and financial cooperation. He underscored that these agreements are yielding tangible benefits for the nation.

Addressing domestic priorities, the President reaffirmed that fostering peace, unity, and national solidarity remains the foremost objective of his administration. He also provided a positive update on the peace and reconciliation process in the Ceerigaabo district, noting that efforts to restore harmony among local communities are progressing successfully.

“The international community is currently focused on our nation,” President Cirro stated. “Our diplomatic campaign for recognition is advancing on a promising path. Let me be clear: peace is the essential foundation of our statehood. Without it, the economic development, foreign investment, and global recognition we seek cannot be realized.”

The President commended the business sector for its indispensable role in driving national progress, attracting investment, and maintaining the country’s security and stability. He called upon business leaders to take an active role in reinforcing social cohesion and to educate their communities against any actions that could undermine national sovereignty, peace, or unity.

In response, the attending business representatives expressed their strong appreciation for the comprehensive briefing and pledged their full support for the government’s initiatives. They lauded the President’s dedicated efforts to bolster peace, stimulate investment, and enhance Somaliland’s diplomatic standing abroad.

The meeting concluded in a spirit of mutual understanding and confidence, highlighting the robust and collaborative relationship between the national leadership and the private sector.