African state terminates agreements with UAE

Somalia has accused the Emirati government of violating the principles of sovereignty and respect for state independence

Somalia has terminated all agreements with the United Arab Emirates, including port deals and defense cooperation, citing alleged actions by the Emirati government that “undermine” the East African nation’s sovereignty.

The decision by the Council of Ministers on Monday followed a review of “recent developments,” Somali Defense Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi said in a post on X.

According to Fiqi, the move is based on “reliable reports and evidence pointing to practices” linked to the UAE, which “constitute a clear violation of the principles of sovereignty and respect for the independence of states and non-interference in their internal affairs.”

The minister said partnerships relating to the “ports of Berbera, Bosaso, and Kismayo, in addition to security and defense cooperation agreements,” will all be canceled. He did not specify which actions by the UAE had prompted the measure.

Abu Dhabi has yet to respond to the claims.

Somalia’s immigration authority announced last week that it is investigating the “unauthorized” use of the country’s airspace and airports by external forces to facilitate the movement of “fugitive political figure” Aidarus al-Zoubaidi. Al-Zoubaidi, the leader of Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council separatist group, is said to have traveled to the UAE via the port of Berbera in Somaliland on January 8 after declining Saudi invitations to talks in Riyadh.

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The Horn of Africa state warned at the time that if the reports are true, it could constitute a serious violation of its sovereignty and the breach of applicable bilateral arrangements.

The latest measure also comes weeks after Israel became the first country to recognize the independence of Somaliland, a breakaway region in northwestern Somalia. The self-governing region declared independence from Somalia in 1991, but no government had recognized it until December 26, when West Jerusalem signed a declaration, provoking widespread condemnation.

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The UAE, which maintains strong economic and security ties with Somaliland, allegedly played a role “behind the scenes” in influencing Israel’s decision, the Somali Guardian reported, citing analysts.

Israeli officials cited by Axios also claimed that Abu Dhabi facilitated the Jewish state’s recognition of Somaliland, despite the UAE expressing support for Somalia’s territorial integrity and security in a joint statement with the African Union on January 6.