As the old adage has it, ‘when it rains it pours,’ and unfortunately, that same adage is today holding true for Somaliland, as severe doses of bad economic news keep coming, one after the other.
Yesterday, SSC-Khatumo issued its first official directive, banning all business activities with Somaliland, effective as of 15 April 2023. The Committee sent a stern warning to every individual and commercial entity that will have to go through SSC-Khatumo territories to cease and desist doing business with Somaliland, as it will be akin to wasting your wealth. “Don’t waste your wealth effective as of 15 of April 2023,” the Committee warned.
After issuing numerous public warnings that commercial activities with Somaliland will cease, SSC-KHATUMO finally today issued its first official directive, banning all business activities with Somaliland effective as of 15 April 2023. pic.twitter.com/xPUEoIFdM5
— Daljir Media (@radiodaljir) April 9, 2023
On same day, SSC-KHATUMO also issued a directive prohibiting national and international NGOs operating in Somaliland, in particular NGOs with operations in Hargeisa, Berbera, Burco, Borama and Gabiley, from setting foot in SSC-KHATUMO territories. OCHA Somalia, which SSC-Khatumo has warned numerous times for misinformation, is one such NGO.
SSC-KHATUMO also issued a directive prohibiting national & international NGOs operating in Somaliland, in particular NGOs in Hargeisa, Berbera, Burco, Borama & Gabiley, from setting foot in SSC-KHATUMO territories. @OCHASom, which has been warned numerous times, is one such NGO. pic.twitter.com/J0Xa9oBBVI
— Daljir Media (@radiodaljir) April 9, 2023
Again, on same day, a Somaliland Minister went before a parliamentary committee with a report on the severe economic situation Somaliland is lately facing because of the war in Laascaanood. The minister reported to the committee that tax revenues are dwindling fast, real fast, and that cuts in public salaries have commenced. Explaining the causes of such severe declines in tax revenues, the minister recounted that key businesses have switched from Berbera port, Somaliland’s economic lifeline, to mainly Bossaso and Garacad ports in Puntland. The minister also recounted the closure of Wajaale cross border trade with the Somali Regional State of Ethiopia and that of Waaheen Market, Hargeisa’s open market recently destroyed by a massive blaze. “Given all these declining fortunes, to make matters worse, we are now in war in Laascaanood, and we have to cut our salaries to contribute to the war effort,” the minister reported to the parliamentary committee.
And then today, it has been revealed that due to the severe declines in Somaliland tax collections, Finance Minister Sacad Ali Shire has instituted rollback of all tax discounts for preferred customers, companies and close kin families of President Bihi.
As the war in Laascaanood enters its final face, as Blue Revolution keeps brewing in Borama, and as intra-Isaaq clan unrest keeps growing in Hargeisa, Burco and Ceel Afweyn, and Somaliland’s economic decline teeters on edge of precipice, it might not be too long before Somaliland stares its political demise and an end to an era.
Daljir Media | SOMALIA
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