The Federal Government of Somalia has formally cancelled all cooperation agreements with the United Arab Emirates, accusing the Gulf state of actions that undermine Somalia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unity.
The decision was taken by Somalia’s Council of Ministers during a cabinet meeting in Mogadishu marking a sharp escalation in diplomatic tensions between the two countries. The cancellation affects a wide range of agreements including those related to security, defence cooperation, trade and port development.
In a statement, the Somali government said the move followed what it described as credible information and evidence indicating that some actions by the UAE were inconsistent with Somalia’s constitutional order and posed a threat to the country’s unity as a sovereign state.
Although officials did not publicly detail all the incidents behind the decision, the dispute is widely linked to the UAE’s long standing engagement with Somalia’s breakaway regions, particularly Somaliland which declared independence in 1991 but remains unrecognised by the federal government in Mogadishu and most of the international community.
Somalia has repeatedly warned that foreign agreements signed directly with regional administrations without federal approval weaken national authority and risk deepening internal divisions. Tensions intensified recently following reports of unauthorised activities involving Somali airspace and airports, further straining relations between Mogadishu and Abu Dhabi.
The UAE has been a key economic and security partner in the Horn of Africa with interests in strategic ports and logistics infrastructure across the region. However, Somalia’s leadership has stressed that all partnerships must respect the country’s sovereignty and operate within its constitutional framework.
In reaffirming its position, the Somali government said it remains open to international cooperation but only on terms that uphold national unity and mutual respect. Officials emphasised that safeguarding sovereignty remains a non negotiable priority as the country continues its state building and stabilisation efforts.
The UAE had not immediately issued an official response to the announcement by the time of publication. Analysts say the decision could have broader implications for regional diplomacy and security cooperation in the Horn of Africa, where Gulf states play an increasingly influential role.