I've heard today through some reliable sources with close links to Somaliland government. Discussions are very advanced to have Russia build a naval base in Zeila, in exhange for recognition and permanent military support! This will be under a 25 year agreement. Russia wants to build closer military ties in the region to connect with and principally to co operate more closely with Iran, Yemen and other like minded countries.
Since America/USA has refused to recognise Somaliland or support it politically or economically. Somaliland government is seriously pursuing this.
This would not affect Somaliland's relationship with UAU or their Berbera base which will continue. Somaliland will also keep its close ties with EU, although they also refuse to recognise Somaliland.
Machallah. Somaliland has a bright future. 2018 will be a big year
Last edited by Futurist on Sat Apr 07, 2018 7:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.
The Russian foreign minister recently also made a visit to Addis Ababa Ethiopia which is linked to this. Russia and China want closer relations with Ethiopia as the latter is increasingly pivoting from relying on the USA & EU to China and long term Russia. This is Ethiopia's "look East" policy. China is already building the railway between Djibouti and Ethiopia. China is also heavily prospecting for oil and mineral deposits im Eastern Ethiopia. China is building a new military base in Djibouti with 10,000 officers as well as 3 new ports in the city state.
Russia is also in advanced talks with Sudan to have a naval military base there on the Red sea coast in exchange for military aid to Sudan.
Russia wants to build an arch of military power exerted from its Black sea, Syrian/mediteranian, Red sea Coast and Iranian naval bases. This links to China's military bases in Djibouti, Oman and Pakistan. This is part of the wider silk road economic-military plan. The two countries will also begin denominating their trade more in Renminbi/Yuan and Russian Ruble to reduce dependence on the dollar. Soon rhe Renminbi will be fully convertible in gold also.
Russia wants a permission to construct “a small naval and air facility, housing no more than 1,500 personnel outside the city of Zeila.” The naval facility should serve two destroyer sized ships, four frigate class ships, and two large submarine pens. The air facility will include two airstrips and will be able to host up to “six heavy aircraft and fifteen fighter jets as well as space for fuel, ammunition, and base defenses.”
A lot of Somaliland's traditional allies have seriously underestimated Somaliland's importance and strategic location especially as it is at the mouth of the read sea, on the Gulf of Adan, practically next to the Arabian oil and gas fields, in reaching distance of the Persian Gulf, close proximity to two nuclear powers of India/Pakistan and on China's new silk route. More importantly Somaliland is next to Ethiopia/Djibouti where China has invest BILLIONS and is setting up shop for the long term. Somaliland's strategic international importance will only grow further. Somaliland is also a reliable long term partner having been peaceful and stable for nearly 30 years and getting more stable and secure economically, politically and militarily with every year that passes.
The Russians and UAE have done the math and their homework. The guy leading the negotiations on their behalf is Deputy Consular of Russian Embassy in Ethiopia Yury Kourchakov. Last year May 2017 he visited Hargeisa and held lengthily discussions at the FM offices in Hargeisa. The Russian diplomat who thanked somalilanders for their warm reception adding that he hopes to revisit Somaliland and will do so with a large delagation later this year. A Somaliland delegation then visited Moscow in October 2017 under the guise of visiting muslim Checnyaa region to further progress the talks.
The question is, will the USA and EU catch up? Somaliland is after all still a friendly country that is neutral and non aligned. But they would have to come through with recognition and military/economic pact.
djibouti is gonna suffer as a result of refusing to recognise SL......they had an ample amount of time to realise that they having official diplomatic relations with SL would mean we complement rather than compete with one another. zeila overtaking another ciise city djibouti-ville will be the most humiliating slap guelleh will receive lool
