Somalia has announced the cancellation of all agreements with the United Arab Emirates, including port, security, and defense deals, citing a serious breach of its sovereignty.
The decision follows the alleged illegal entry of a UAE-backed Yemeni separatist leader, who reportedly arrived in the country via a cargo plane through Somaliland, a breakaway region. Somali officials described the incident as “the last straw” after prolonged diplomatic tensions with Abu Dhabi.
The move has exposed internal fractures within Somalia, as several autonomous regions with close ties to the UAE immediately rejected Mogadishu’s authority to annul the agreements.
The rift is further complicated by regional geopolitics, including Israel’s recent recognition of Somaliland—a development Somalia believes was facilitated by the UAE.
In response, Somalia’s government has insisted that all international partners engage directly with the federal state, emphasizing its aim to reclaim national autonomy and reinforce the primacy of the central government in foreign relations.
Observers say the cancellation is likely to escalate tensions in the Horn of Africa, with potential economic and security implications for the UAE’s operations in the region.
