Somaliland has announced a suspension of sand exports from its northwestern Salal region to neighbouring Djibouti, disrupting a key trade route and deepening diplomatic rifts between the two sides.
The decision, which took effect on April 28, was confirmed through an official directive from the Ministry of Energy and Minerals. Director General Shucayb Osman Mahmoud instructed local authorities and companies to cease the transport of fine-grade construction sand—commonly known as ciidda niista—until further notice.
“This suspension takes immediate effect and applies to all sand shipments originating from the Salal region,” the directive stated. The ministry cited regulatory enforcement as the reason, pointing to Somaliland’s 2023 National Minerals Act, which mandates proper licensing for natural resource activities.
Though framed as a regulatory measure, the move comes at a time of increasing friction between Somaliland and Djibouti. Djibouti relies heavily on Salal’s sand for its construction sector and also sources freshwater from the area’s aquifers. The halt could significantly impact infrastructure development in Djibouti, a country with limited natural resources of its own.
Diplomatic relations between the neighbours have been strained since early 2024, when Djibouti publicly opposed Somaliland’s port deal with Ethiopia—a maritime agreement that challenges Djibouti’s role as the region’s dominant trade hub.
Tensions have further escalated over Djibouti’s engagement with the Awdal State Movement, a political group that contests Somaliland’s authority in the western regions of Awdal and Salal. Hargeisa has accused Djibouti of interfering in its internal affairs, a charge Djibouti has denied.
Analysts warn that the sand export suspension could trigger broader economic and political fallout in the Horn of Africa, where resource access and border disputes continue to fuel regional rivalries.