By Emmanuel Nduka Obisue
Somalia has cancelled all bilateral agreements with the United Arab Emirates, citing what it described as compelling evidence of actions that undermine the country’s sovereignty and territorial unity.
The decision, announced by the Council of Ministers, affects a wide range of cooperation agreements, including those covering port operations and security and defence partnerships.
“This annulment includes all existing agreements and partnerships with the United Arab Emirates,” Somalia’s Minister of Information, Daud Aweis Aden Duale, said in a statement. “Having carefully assessed recent developments and acting under its constitutional authority, the Council of Ministers hereby nullifies and revokes all agreements with the UAE,” he added.
According to the government, the cancellation applies to all federal institutions, affiliated agencies, and regional administrations. It specifically covers cooperation linked to the ports of Berbera, Bosaso, and Kismayo.
Mogadishu’s move follows growing tensions with Abu Dhabi, reportedly triggered by the UAE’s tacit support for Israel’s recent recognition of Somaliland as an independent state. Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991, is internationally regarded as part of Somalia, and Israel became the first country to formally recognise it last month — a move that sparked widespread international criticism.
The Somali government also pointed to a recent incident involving the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, which alleged that the UAE facilitated the removal of a separatist leader from Yemen through Berbera. Mogadishu described the episode as an “unauthorised use of Somalia’s national airspace and airports.”
The UAE has built and maintains control over a deep-water port and military base in Berbera, a city in the self-declared Republic of Somaliland.
Somalia’s cabinet has directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to formally notify the UAE of the decision, oversee its implementation, and brief international and regional partners.
Despite the diplomatic rupture, the government stressed that Somalia remains open to international partnerships grounded in mutual respect, recognition of its unity and sovereignty, and adherence to constitutional and international law.
