Somalia’s President Says UAE Deal Cancellation Aimed at Defending Sovereignty

Mogadishu (Sahan Post):- Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said the government’s decision to cancel security and port agreements with the United Arab Emirates was driven by the need to safeguard Somalia’s unity, territorial integrity and political independence, accusing Abu Dhabi of undermining state authority.

In a televised address on Tuesday, Hassan Sheikh said the agreements were initially concluded in good faith but were later compromised by what he described as the UAE’s failure to engage Somalia as a single, sovereign state. He accused Abu Dhabi of pursuing parallel and undisclosed dealings inside the country without the knowledge of the federal government.

“We repeatedly urged the UAE to treat Somalia as one country and to stop engaging through multiple channels,” the president said, adding that the decision followed extensive deliberations and repeated warnings.

The cancellation, approved by Somalia’s cabinet, scraps UAE-linked security and defence arrangements tied to several strategic ports. Officials say the move comes amid investigations into allegations that a UAE-linked aircraft facilitated the movement of a Yemeni separatist leader through Somali territory, and after claims that Abu Dhabi played a role in Israel’s recent recognition of Somaliland — accusations the UAE has not addressed.

The fallout has exposed long-standing frictions between Mogadishu and some federal member states over foreign partnerships. Somaliland, along with Puntland and Jubbaland, has rejected the federal government’s decision to sever agreements with the UAE.

Despite the rupture, Hassan Sheikh said Somalia remains open to international cooperation, insisting that future partnerships must be transparent and respect the country’s constitutional order.

“Somalia is committed to constructive engagement with the international community,” he said, “but only on the basis of mutual respect and recognition of Somalia’s unity and sovereignty.”

Sahan News Des

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