MPs reject Somaliland port deal

Somalian MPs have voted to reject a controversial deal involving the port of Berbera. A report on the Africa News site notes that the lower house voted to reject the deal through a landslide with 168 of the 170 lawmakers nullifying all agreements between the United Arab Emirates-based company and Somaliland. The authorities in the self-declared republic of Somaliland recently entered an agreement to manage the port with a Dubai-based company, as well as the government of landlocked Ethiopia. However, BBC News reports that Somalia has asked the Arab League to annul the deal arguing that it violates the unity and constitution of the country. Somaliland which is located in the north of Somalia declared unilateral independence from Somalia on 1991.