Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has expressed his country's willingness to resolve differences with the United Arab Emirates and improve relations with Abu Dhabi. In an interview with Al Jazeera Arabic, Hassan stated that Somalia and the UAE had previously enjoyed close relations, particularly in the security sector. He mentioned that ties deteriorated after Abu Dhabi began supporting Somaliland's separatist position.
The relations between Somalia and the UAE soured after Somalia announced in January that it was cancelling all agreements with the UAE, including arrangements covering security, defense, and port operations. This decision was made citing concerns over Somalia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. However, both countries have maintained diplomatic relations and continue to operate embassies in each other's capitals.
Hassan acknowledged the UAE's previous role in supporting Somalia's security sector, describing it as an important part of the once-close partnership between the two countries. He emphasized that Somalia had not cut its relationship with the UAE entirely, stating that their embassy is still in Somalia and vice versa. However, Somalia did cancel all existing agreements, most of which were in the security and defense sectors.
The dispute between Somalia and the UAE centers on the UAE's long-standing economic and security ties with Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but has not been internationally recognized as a sovereign state. The UAE has invested heavily in Somaliland, including through its involvement in Berbera port, while Mogadishu objects to arrangements it considers to bypass the federal government.
The rift between Somalia and the UAE also deepened following developments involving Yemen. Somalia investigated the alleged unauthorized use of its airspace and airports in connection with the movement of a Yemeni political figure. A senior Somali official described this incident as one of the factors behind the cancellation of the agreements.
Despite the cancellation of the agreements, Hassan's comments suggest that Mogadishu is seeking to keep diplomatic channels open and avoid a complete rupture with Abu Dhabi. The president emphasized that Somalia remains interested in restoring the relationship while protecting what his government considers its sovereignty and national interests.
The dispute has exposed divisions within Somalia's federal system, with regional administrations that maintain close ties with the UAE challenging Mogadishu's decision to cancel agreements affecting their territories. Hassan's comments come as Somalia navigates increasingly complex regional rivalries involving the Horn of Africa, the Red Sea, and the Gulf, while maintaining relations with a range of competing regional powers.
Key points
- Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud says the country is willing to improve relations with the UAE despite disagreements over Somaliland and security cooperation.
- The UAE has invested heavily in Somaliland, including through its involvement in Berbera port, while Mogadishu objects to arrangements it considers to bypass the federal government.
- Somalia and the UAE have maintained diplomatic relations and continue to operate embassies in each other's capitals despite the cancellation of agreements.
