Somalia voids UAE deals, citing threats to sovereignty and unity
Somalia has announced the cancellation of all agreements with the United Arab Emirates, citing what officials described as compelling evidence of actions that undermine the country’s sovereignty and national unity, as reported by Africanews on January 13th.
The decision voids a series of deals covering port operations, security cooperation, and defence arrangements. It marks a sharp escalation in tensions reportedly fuelled by the UAE’s tacit support for Israel’s recent recognition of Somaliland as an independent state.
“Having carefully assessed the latest developments and exercising its constitutional authority, the Council of Ministers hereby nullifies and revokes all existing agreements with the United Arab Emirates,” said Information Minister Daud Aweis Aden Duale.
According to Mogadishu, the annulment applies across all federal institutions, affiliated agencies, and regional administrations, including “all agreements and cooperation in the ports of Berbera, Bosaso, and Kismayo”.
The move follows claims from the Saudi‑led coalition in Yemen stating that the UAE covertly evacuated a separatist leader from the country via Berbera. Mogadishu described the incident as an “alleged unauthorised use of Somalia’s national airspace and airports.”
Abu Dhabi built and currently controls the deep‑water port and military facility in Berbera, located in the self‑declared Republic of Somaliland.
The Somali cabinet has directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to formally notify the UAE of the cancellations and oversee their implementation, while also briefing their international and regional partners.
Despite the rupture, Somalia said it remains open to global cooperation grounded in mutual respect, recognition of its territorial integrity, and adherence to constitutional and international norms.
Somaliland, which broke away from Somalia in 1991, had not been recognised by any state until December 2025, when Israel became the first to do so, a move that triggered swift international backlash.
Africanews, Maghrebi.org
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