The revival and re-embedding of Somali ports

The chapter argues that port infrastructures have been a key asset in the sometimes-violent politics of circulation and state formation after Somali state collapse. The control and development of seaports has had a decisive influence on the making and eroding of Somali state entities. It provides an overview of the conflictive history and recent revival of four major seaports on the Somali coast before zooming in on the changes that DP World’s investments brought to Somaliland’s Berbera port. It shows how this port has been dis-embedded from its previous social, political and economic moorings in Berbera town only to be re-embedded in new relations. The latter afford both DP World and the Somaliland government increased control over the port’s governance and revenue compared to before the upgrading.