No. 97 1 IV. ECONOMIC CONDITIONS BRITISH SOMALILAND (A) MEANS OF COMMUNICATION ( 1 ) INTERNAL (a) Roads THERE are no roads in British Somaliland in the European sense of the word . The only road which can be considered suitable for wheeled traffic was constructed during the operations against the Mullah in 1902–4, and runs from Berbera to Bihendula and on through the Sheikh Pass to Burao and Kirrit. From the pass there are two branches , one to Wadamago and the other to Bohotle. This is a very rough military road and in parts the going is very heavy.

Roads fit for wheeled traffic could be constructed on the maritime plain at no very great expense ; farther inland they would probably become impassable during the wet season. The caravan routes from the interior are merely tracks, scarcely defined except through the bush country. Pack camels, however, afford such a plentiful and cheap means of transit that the want of roads is little felt.

(6) Railways A railway has been projected and surveyed between Berbera and Harrar (276 miles), with a branch line from Argan to Burao (97 miles) .