Somalia has formally cancelled all existing agreements with the United Arab Emirates, marking a major escalation in diplomatic tensions between Mogadishu and Abu Dhabi. The decision covers port operations, defence cooperation, and security arrangements. Authorities said the move followed actions they believe undermine national unity and territorial integrity. The announcement places Somalia UAE agreements at the centre of growing regional and geopolitical strain in the Horn of Africa.
The Council of Ministers approved the decision on Monday, after which senior officials outlined the government’s position. Somalia’s leadership framed the move as a defence of sovereignty rather than a break from regional cooperation. Still, the development signals a sharp shift in relations with one of the most influential Gulf actors in East Africa.
Somalia UAE agreements cancelled over sovereignty concerns
Defence Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi said the government relied on credible evidence pointing to activities that harm Somalia’s political independence. In a public statement, he accused the UAE of conduct that weakens national unity and encourages fragmentation. He stressed that Somalia UAE agreements could not continue under such conditions.
Officials in Mogadishu argued that foreign partnerships must respect federal authority and international borders. According to them, any engagement that bypasses the central government threatens the country’s long-term stability. As a result, the cabinet chose a complete cancellation rather than partial suspension.
Also read: Somalia cancels all UAE deals as tensions spike over Somaliland, Yemen
Link to Somaliland recognition fuels tensions
Analysts say the decision is closely linked to Israel’s recognition of Somaliland in December. Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991, yet it lacks international recognition. Many Somalis believe the UAE played a role in facilitating that recognition, although Abu Dhabi has not confirmed this.
Political analyst Abdinor Dahir said the cancellation of Somalia UAE agreements reflects public anger and elite pressure. He explained that many citizens view the UAE as supporting separatist actors across the region. Therefore, the move serves as a political pushback as well as a diplomatic signal.
UAE response and regional positioning
At the time of the announcement, the UAE had not issued an official response. However, earlier in January, Abu Dhabi released a joint statement with the African Union reaffirming support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Despite that pledge, officials in Mogadishu remained unconvinced.
Also read: Eastern DRC Peace Deal: 400+ Civilians Killed in Renewed Fighting
The UAE has repeatedly denied accusations of backing armed groups in Africa, including claims related to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces. Still, distrust has grown, especially as Somalia reassesses the impact of foreign influence within its borders. This climate has made the continuation of Somalia UAE agreements politically difficult.
Strategic interests and economic stakes
Somaliland has become a focal point of Emirati commercial and security interests over the past decade. A key example is the 30-year concession at the Berbera port operated by DP World. The port plays a strategic role in Red Sea trade routes and regional logistics.
Beyond Somalia, the UAE has invested heavily across East Africa. The Africa Center for Strategic Studies estimates Emirati investments in the region at about $47bn. These figures highlight why the cancellation of Somalia UAE agreements carries implications beyond bilateral ties, potentially affecting trade and security calculations across the Horn of Africa.
Federal tensions complicate enforcement
Somalia’s federal system grants significant autonomy to its member states. As a result, questions remain over how uniformly the decision will be enforced. Puntland and Jubaland, two federal states with strong ties to the UAE, have recently clashed with the central government over constitutional reforms and election plans.
These internal disputes raise doubts about whether all regional authorities will comply with the cancellation of Somalia UAE agreements. Observers warn that uneven enforcement could deepen political fractures at a sensitive time.
Recent events heighten scrutiny
The decision also followed reports that Aidarous al-Zubaidi, leader of Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council, travelled to the UAE via Berbera port on January 8. Somalia’s immigration authority later announced an investigation into what it called unauthorised use of national airspace and airports.
Officials viewed the incident as further evidence of external actors operating through breakaway regions without federal consent. This perception added urgency to the cabinet’s action and reinforced arguments for ending Somalia UAE agreements.
Somaliland rejects Mogadishu’s authority
Leaders in Somaliland dismissed the federal government’s move. The region’s Minister of the Presidency, Khadar Hussein Abdi, said Mogadishu had no authority over Somaliland’s foreign relations. He described the UAE as a reliable partner that invested when others hesitated.
His remarks underline the political divide at the heart of the crisis. While Mogadishu asserts sovereignty over all Somali territory, Somaliland continues to act independently. This divide ensures that the fallout from the cancelled Somalia UAE agreements will remain complex.
Broader implications for the Horn of Africa
Diplomats say Somalia’s action may reshape how external powers engage with fragile states in the region. The cancellation sends a message that Mogadishu seeks stricter control over foreign partnerships. It also reflects rising sensitivity around recognition, ports, and security cooperation.
As regional competition intensifies, Somalia’s leaders appear determined to assert federal authority, even at the cost of strained alliances. Whether the move strengthens unity or deepens divisions will depend on how internal actors and foreign partners respond in the coming months.
Somalia cancelled all UAE deals over sovereignty claims, regional tensions, and alleged interference in breakaway regions today Somalia UAE agreements
