What kinda BS is this? Developing Barawe as a Major Port Makes No Strategic Sense. Barawe is not an ideal location for a major port investment, and prioritizing it over other key ports in Somalia is a questionable decision.
The logic behind turning Barawe into a major hub doesnât hold up economically, geographically, or strategically.
First of all Barawe is too close to Mogadishu (only about 180 km away), making it redundant. Mogadishu already has a large, well-established port that serves the region.
Not a major trade corridor unlike Berbera or Kismayo, Barawe does not sit on a critical regional trade route.
For example Kismayo is a key southern port that could serve Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somaliaâs interior.
Minimal economic activity in the region,without major industries, businesses, or strong agricultural/export production nearby, who will actually use this port?
Barawe is in the South, where Al-Shabaab remains active, posing a significant security risk .Foreign investors and businesses may not even use the port if the region remains unstable.
There are reason why Barawe declined in modern times, Barawe lacks natural deep-water access, which is essential for large cargo ships and international trade vessels. Ports like Mogadishu, Berbera, Bosaso and Kismayo already have deeper waters and are better suited for large-scale shipping.
If big ships canât dock there, the port has no real purpose in international trade.
200km around the area as "special zone", sounds like a land grab, not a serious investment for development. This looks more like a foreign land acquisition than a real infrastructure project.