Businesses across Bosaso remained closed for a second consecutive day on Saturday, while the city’s commercial port entered its 12th straight day of closure, as a dispute over newly introduced port fees continued to disrupt trade and economic activity across Puntland.
Officials and representatives of the business community are expected to hold talks in Bosaso later today in an effort to resolve the standoff.
Traders have rejected new charges introduced by DP World, the company managing Bosaso Port, arguing that the fees will increase the cost of doing business.
The Puntland government, however, maintains that the charges are lawful and necessary to improve and modernize the port’s infrastructure.
The prolonged closure has disrupted the movement of imported goods through Bosaso Port, one of Puntland’s main commercial gateways, affecting the supply of food, fuel, medicine, and other essential commodities.
Residents across Puntland are already reporting rising prices for basic goods, raising concerns that the economic impact could worsen if the dispute remains unresolved.