Wajaale (Dawan Africa) – Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro, Somaliland President, has defended the controversial Wajaale irrigation and farming project, describing it as a vital economic and environmental investment rather than a land-grab scheme.
Addressing criticism from sections of the local community on Saturday night at a gathering in Gabiley, Irro insisted that no resident would be forcibly displaced from their land. He emphasized that the land in question has been under Somaliland’s control for more than two decades and that formal agreements had transferred it to the Somaliland’s authority.
“The project document clearly states that the land has been taken over by the state. It is currently under the control of government forces. We want to assure our people that no farmer will be uprooted or evicted,” Irro said, adding that the initiative would attract global investment and bring long-term benefits.
The project, led by the Pharo Foundation, has stirred debate over its social and environmental impact. Supporters within the administration argue it will boost agriculture and help tackle climate change, while critics say the deal lacks transparency and adequate consultation.
Documents reviewed by Dawan Africa in July reveal that the Somaliland administration and Pharo Foundation signed an 18-month-negotiated lease agreement covering 5,800 hectares. Under the terms, Pharo will pay $10 per hectare annually—a total of $58,000 a year—a figure that opponents argue is far below market value. The contract also grants Pharo Foundation broad exemptions, including from all taxes and import duties, as well as full autonomy over staffing, land management, and project operations. The administration will retain only 10% of the agricultural output.