Berbera, Somaliland –A large naval base and port in Berbera, built by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is almost ready to start operations after nearly eight years of construction.
New satellite images taken in March 2025 show that the dredging—digging and deepening of the sea area—has been finished. This means ships can now safely enter the port and dock at the base for the first time.
This is a big moment not just for Somaliland, but for the wider region.
Berbera is located along the Gulf of Aden, close to one of the world’s busiest and most important shipping lanes.
A working naval base here could bring major changes to trade, military activity, and politics in the Horn of Africa.
The project began in 2017 when the UAE signed a deal with Somaliland to build both a new commercial port and a naval base.
The UAE wanted to expand its presence in the region and chose Berbera because of its strategic location. Over the years, the UAE has built similar bases in places like Eritrea and Yemen.
Now that the base is almost complete, there is a key question: who will run it? So far, no official announcement has been made.
The UAE is the most likely candidate, since they funded and built it. But there are other players interested too.
The United States may want to use the base to support its military operations in Africa. And perhaps most controversially, Ethiopia has also shown interest.
In early 2024, Ethiopia signed a deal with Somaliland that could give it access to the sea through Berbera. This caused tension with Somalia, which says the deal is illegal.
Ethiopia is a landlocked country—it has no coastline—and it has long wanted access to the sea for its imports and exports. If Ethiopia is allowed to use the naval base, it would be a huge change in the region’s power dynamics.
For Somaliland, this development is important. Even though it is not officially recognized as a country by the international community, it is showing that it can make deals and build major infrastructure on its own. Having a working naval base may strengthen its push for independence.
For Somalia, however, the situation is worrying. The government in Mogadishu strongly opposes the Somaliland-Ethiopia agreement and has warned of possible conflict if Ethiopia sends troops or ships to Berbera.
The base could also change the balance of power in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. It might lead to more military activity and competition between countries like the UAE, Ethiopia, the U.S., and even China.
It could also reduce the importance of Djibouti, which has been the main hub for foreign navies in the region.
Now that the sea channel is open, the focus will likely move to finishing the base’s buildings, storage areas, and equipment.
The arrival of the first ship—whether military or civilian—will mark the beginning of a new chapter for Berbera.
Who ends up using the base, and for what purpose, will be closely watched by governments and analysts around the world. One thing is clear: the future of Berbera is no longer just about Somaliland. It’s about the region—and possibly the world.
