Somali people Worldwide Outraged by Signing of Sayla Port of Somalia to Ethiopia by Somaliland President. By: Mohamed Kosow Salat. The 50-year lease agreement between Musa Bihi, the president of the region of Somaliland, and Ethiopia for the port of Sayla has aroused outcry and protest not only in Somaliland, but also in the Somali community at large. Somaliland, a region of Somalia that views itself as a de facto independent state from Somalia, has signed a maritine lease arrangement with Ethiopia, claiming, it would have economic impact, integration between the two countries, international recognition of Somaliland, and provide development prospect for the region. Yet, there has been an outpouring of opposition from a large proportion of Somalis, both in Somalila and the diaspora. That outrage is based on the fear that the lease agreement may lead to the extraction and pillage of the Somali resources, as some argue that it was concluded without any real consultation with ...