Somalia's Cabinet annulled all agreements with the UAE, citing evidence that Emirati-linked actions undermined Somalia's sovereignty and unity. Analysts link the decision to Israel's December recognition of Somaliland and to concerns about Emirati influence in the breakaway region, including investment in Berbera port. Mogadishu has opened an investigation into alleged unauthorised use of Somali airspace and airports, while Puntland and Jubaland may resist the federal decision.
Somalia Cancels All UAE Agreements, Citing Sovereignty Violations and Rising Regional Tensions
Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud addresses an emergency joint parliamentary session in Mogadishu, Somalia [Handout: Somali presidency]
Somalia's federal government has annulled all agreements with the United Arab Emirates, voiding pacts that covered port operations, security cooperation and defence after the Cabinet approved the measure on Monday.
What Happened
Defence Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi said on social media that the decision was based on 'reliable reports and evidence indicating practices linked to the United Arab Emirates that undermine the sovereignty of the Somali Republic, its national unity and political independence.' There was no immediate public response from the UAE.
Context And Allegations
Analysts and Somali officials link the move to broader regional tensions, including Israel's December recognition of Somaliland — the self-declared, internationally unrecognised region in northwestern Somalia. Some Somalis believe the UAE played a role in facilitating that recognition, a charge Abu Dhabi denies.
The UAE has also been accused in some quarters of supporting non-state and separatist actors in the region, including allegations of backing Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The UAE has repeatedly denied arming the RSF.
Key Incidents
Somalia's action follows reports that Aidarous al-Zubaidi, leader of Yemen's Southern Transitional Council (STC), travelled to the UAE via Berbera port in Somaliland on January 8 after declining Saudi invitations to talks in Riyadh. Somalia's immigration authority said it has opened an investigation into what it called the 'unauthorised use of Somalia's national airspace and airports.'
Economic And Strategic Stakes
Over the past decade Somaliland has attracted significant Emirati commercial and security investment, most notably a 30-year concession for the strategic Berbera port held by DP World. The US-based Africa Center for Strategic Studies estimates UAE investments across East Africa at roughly $47 billion, about 60% of Gulf capital flows into the region.
Domestic Politics And Compliance
Somalia operates a federal system that grants member states substantial autonomy, and it is not yet clear whether regional administrations will comply with the federal Cabinet's cancellations. Puntland and Jubaland, which have closer ties to the UAE, have recently clashed with Mogadishu over proposed constitutional changes and disagreements related to the conduct of upcoming elections.
Responses
"Somalia's daydreaming changes nothing," said Khadar Hussein Abdi, Somaliland's Minister of the Presidency, adding that the UAE "is a trusted friend of Somaliland. They invested in Berbera when others doubted us. We are a nation of principles, and we stand by our friends."
The move is likely to complicate relations between Mogadishu and Abu Dhabi and could affect security, commercial operations and regional diplomacy in the Horn of Africa.
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