The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development of Somaliland has addressed public speculation surrounding a ship detained at Berbera Port for several weeks, confirming that the vessel is being held solely due to unpaid customs duties.
The ship, carrying processed cooking oil imported by Omar Group of Company, will be released once the required taxes are paid, according to ministry officials.
In a press conference held in Berbera, Ahmed Abdirahman Harir, Manager of Berbera Customs, explained that the cargo consists of ready-to-use edible oil, needing only packaging for market distribution.
“The vessel is detained to ensure compliance with import tax regulations,” Harir stated. “As soon as the duties are settled, the ship will be cleared.”
Harir also noted that Omar Group, which operates six large factories, frequently benefits from tax exemptions under Somaliland’s fiscal laws. “This week alone, we cleared 30 containers for the company under legal exemptions,” he said, adding that Omar Group is both a major taxpayer and a significant recipient of government-approved duty waivers.
Abdirahman Ismail Hussein, Director of the Customs Department, emphasized that the clearance process adheres to standard legal procedures applied uniformly to all importers. “There is no special treatment or unnecessary delay,” he said, addressing concerns raised on social media and in some media reports.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, fair taxation, and consistent enforcement of customs regulations for all businesses operating in Somaliland, vowing to counter misinformation about the situation.