Somalia says UAE actions undermined unity and constitutional authority, prompting the federal government to cancel all bilateral agreements.
Somalia’s federal government has formally annulled its agreements with the United Arab Emirates, with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud accusing Abu Dhabi of conduct that undermined the country’s unity, sovereignty, and constitutional order. The decision marks a significant escalation in diplomatic tensions between Mogadishu and the Gulf state.
In a nationally televised address, the president said Somalia had entered into agreements with the UAE in good faith, expecting cooperation rooted in respect for state sovereignty and official government-to-government engagement. Instead, he alleged that the UAE pursued parallel dealings within Somalia that bypassed federal authorities.
According to Hassan Sheikh, these actions violated the principles on which the agreements were based and eroded trust between the two countries.
Allegations of covert engagement
The president accused the UAE of engaging through multiple channels inside Somalia without the knowledge or consent of the federal government. He said this approach persisted despite repeated warnings from Mogadishu.
“We entered into agreements with the United Arab Emirates in good faith, but the UAE did not conduct itself as a single, independent state in its dealings with Somalia,” Hassan Sheikh said. He added that Somalia had urged Abu Dhabi on several occasions to treat the country as one sovereign entity and to end what he described as a covert operating style.
He warned that such actions amounted to a clear violation of Somalia’s sovereignty and national unity, principles enshrined in the country’s constitution.
Decision framed as protection of national interests
Hassan Sheikh said the decision to annul the agreements followed extensive deliberations and careful evaluation by the federal government. He stressed that the move was taken to defend Somalia’s supreme national interests rather than to isolate the country diplomatically.
The president emphasized that all government actions are guided by the will of the Somali people to safeguard independence, territorial integrity, and constitutional authority.
Somalia remains open to cooperation
Despite the fallout with the UAE, Hassan Sheikh reaffirmed that Somalia remains open to international partnerships. However, he made clear that any cooperation must be based on transparency, mutual respect, and full recognition of Somalia’s unity and federal authority.
He said Somalia welcomes engagement with partners who respect the country’s constitutional framework and operate openly through recognized state institutions.
Regional and diplomatic implications
The annulment of agreements with the UAE could have wider regional implications, given the Gulf state’s involvement in the Horn of Africa through security cooperation, development projects, and port investments. Analysts say the move underscores Somalia’s renewed emphasis on central authority and sovereignty as it seeks to consolidate state power.
For now, the Somali government has signaled that while it values international cooperation, it will not tolerate actions it believes compromise national unity or bypass federal oversight.
