Call for Permanent Suspension of the Proposed Wajaale Agricultural Project
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 09/12/2025
Location: North America
Community Leaders Demand Permanent Halt to Controversial Wajaale Agricultural Project in Somaliland
A group of concerned citizens from the Gabiley Region in North America is calling for the permanent suspension of the proposed Wajaale Agricultural Project, citing serious concerns over transparency, land rights, investor integrity, and environmental risks.
Wajaale Agricultural Project – Key Concerns
We welcome initiatives that strengthen Somaliland’s development and food security.
However, the proposed Wajaale Agricultural Project does not meet these goals. As presented, it raises serious concerns and could cause lasting harm.
We note that the lease implementation has been put on hold. We welcome this step and
strongly urge that the suspension be made permanent, based on the following:
1-Lack of Transparency:
Many key details remain undisclosed:
The lease terms are unknown—even the Guurti sub-committee, which recently looked into controversies surrounding the project area, acknowledged this in its report to the full Guurti.
The identity of investors is unclear. Is African Food Security, with its poor track record in Africa—involved?
The relationship between Pharo Ventures and other investors is not explained. Are they acting as a cover for foreign investors since they have not done the experience large-scale agriculture or the requisite financial resources for such a Project.
No credible feasibility, social, or environmental impact studies have been made public. Have these studies been done anyway?
Crop types, production volumes, domestic vs. export shares, and ownership/financial arrangements remain undisclosed.
2-Questionable Partners and Capacity
Pharo Foundation is a humanitarian charity that has done good work in Somaliland lacks agricultural experience.
Pharo Ventures, an affiliate of the Pharo Foundation, is a profit-making business with only small projects in Kenya and Ethiopia, with no track record in large-scale agriculture.
The company does not appear to have the financial capacity for a $21 million project and seems dependent on outside investors.
There are reports that one of those investors is a company called African Food Security. The record of that company, African Food Security, is troubling: poor
performance in Senegal, delisting from the New York Stock Exchange, and past controversy when seeking land in Somaliland.
It appears to be attempting to use Pharo Ventures as cover, leveraging the goodwill of the Foundation and its links to Somaliland.
3. Risk of Land grabs in this Strategic Area
The site is among Somaliland’s most valuable properties—suitable for agriculture, commerce, transport, and industry.
Wajaale is a growing commercial hub on the Ethiopia-Somaliland border, located on the Berbera–Wajaale corridor, with a planned railway route.
Land prices in central Wajaale are already among the highest in Somaliland (close to $100,000 per plot), yet reports suggest the project land, the borders of which
are adjacent to the town, may be leased for as little as $10/hectare. This is almost a giveaway with the country getting very little for such valuable real estate.
The site lies in the natural path of Wajaale’s urban and commercial expansion and would stunt the growth of the city and future developments in this key area.
Somaliland must avoid the land grabs seen in other African countries. A 25-year lease, likely extendable by another 25, effectively hands over ownership for generations.
4-Community Rights and Ownership
Local communities were not genuinely consulted—only pressured or invited to promotional forums.
The government’s claim that part of the land belongs to the state is misleading.
Historically, it was communal grazing land, later seized for a Soviet-run project, and later re-inhabited by displaced families after the war. However, due to conflict between clans in the area as to ownership, Government security forces were stationed there by mutual agreement, but ownership remained private/communal
Transferring it to private investors without community consent is unacceptable. The principle of “Eminent domain”, which is internationally accepted, allows land acquisition for public use, not transfer to private companies.
5. Absence of Social & Environmental Safeguards
No credible environmental or social impact assessments have been disclosed.
Such studies are essential to evaluate:
- Impact on water resources, soil quality, and ecosystems.
- Effects on local livelihoods, grazing lands, and community displacement.
- Long-term sustainability and risk of resource depletion.
If the project fails, will the land revert to the community or be used by the investors for commercial/industrial/real estate? Current terms do not clarify this.
Conclusion the Wajaale project, as currently designed, lacks transparency, credible partners, community consent, and proper safeguards. It risks undermining food security, land rights, and Somaliland’s strategic development.
We therefore urge that the suspension of this project be made permanent. Future Agricultural initiatives must be transparent, community-driven, and genuinely beneficial to Somaliland and its people.
About the Group
Concerned Citizens from the Gabiley Region in North America is a grassroots coalition advocating for accountable development and protection of land and community rights in Somaliland.
Media Contact:
Ali-Guban Mohamed
aliadm18@gmail.com
