Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh has stated that his country is working to restore its relationship with the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In a recent interview, Sheikh said that Somalia has not severed ties with the UAE, but rather cancelled several agreements, mostly related to security and military cooperation. He emphasized that Somalia's embassy in the UAE and the UAE's embassy in Somalia remain operational.
The strained relationship between Somalia and the UAE is partly due to the UAE's economic and security ties with Somaliland, a region that Somalia considers part of its territory. The UAE has made significant investments in Somaliland, particularly in the Berbera port. Somalia's government has expressed concerns that these agreements bypass the federal government, leading to tensions between the two nations.
The dispute between Somalia and the UAE has also been fueled by events related to Yemen. Somalia recently investigated the unauthorized use of its airspace and airports, which it linked to Yemeni political activities. A senior Somali official stated that this incident was one of the reasons for cancelling the agreements with the UAE.
Despite the cancellation of the agreements, President Sheikh's recent statements suggest that Somalia is willing to keep diplomatic channels open and avoid escalating the conflict. He emphasized that Somalia wants to restore relations with the UAE while protecting its sovereignty and national interests.
The crisis has also highlighted internal divisions within Somalia's federal system, with some regional administrations opposing the federal government's decision to cancel the agreements with the UAE. These regional governments have close ties with the UAE, which has led to tensions between them and the federal government.
President Sheikh acknowledged the UAE's past support for Somalia, particularly in the security sector, which he described as a crucial aspect of the countries' previous relationship. He expressed Somalia's desire to move forward and strengthen its relations with the UAE, while ensuring that its national interests are protected.
The development in Somalia-UAE relations comes as the Horn of Africa region experiences shifting alliances and growing competition for influence among global powers. Somalia's efforts to restore ties with the UAE may have implications for regional dynamics and the country's own foreign policy.
Key points
- Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh says his country wants to improve relations with the UAE.
- The UAE has significant investments in Somaliland, a region claimed by Somalia.
- Somalia cancelled several security and military agreements with the UAE due to concerns over sovereignty and national interests.
