MOGADISHU, Somalia (The Daily Somalia) – The Federal Government of Somalia has officially canceled all security and defense cooperation agreements with the United Arab Emirates, a cabinet letter confirmed on Monday.
The annulled agreements involved maritime and security operations at the ports of Berbera, Bosaso, and Kismayo.
Somali officials cited concerns over national sovereignty and territorial unity as the primary reasons for the decision.Mogadishu said the move followed reports of UAE actions that bypassed the federal government, including Israel’s recognition of Somaliland and the unauthorized transit of a Yemeni political leader through Somali airspace.
By nullifying the pacts, Somalia aims to reassert full control over its internal affairs, emphasizing that international partnerships must respect the country’s legal authority and borders.
An official response from the UAE is expected in the coming days.Tensions between Somalia and the UAE are not new. In 2018, the Somali government seized millions of dollars from a UAE plane at Mogadishu airport, leading to a collapse in bilateral ties.
Analysts note that the 2018 dispute was complicated by close alignment between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which exerted regional pressure on Somalia.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been tasked with formally notifying the UAE of the cancellations and coordinating implementation, while also briefing international and regional partners, including the African Union and the United Nations, reaffirming Somalia’s sovereign rights and constitutional powers.
Somalia’s parliament previously voted on March 12, 2018, to annul UAE port agreements in Bosaso and Berbera, though the decision was never implemented.The latest decision has already revealed divisions within Somalia. Some Federal Member States continue to maintain independent ties with Abu Dhabi. Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni, whose administration has strong UAE links, reportedly traveled to the Emirates on Monday.
Puntland presidency sources told Daily Somalia that the federal cabinet’s decision “does not concern us” and that Puntland will issue its own response rejecting the unilateral move.
The termination of these agreements is expected to trigger significant adjustments in regional security and port operations.
