Somali president says UAE agreements threatened national sovereignty

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said on Wednesday that the continuation of agreements signed with the United Arab Emirates posed a threat to Somalia’s sovereignty and national interests, announcing their cancellation following what he described as extensive government deliberations.

According to the Somali National News Agency (SONNA), Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said the federal government had decided to annul all agreements with the United Arab Emirates in order to safeguard Somalia’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.

The president stressed that Somalia had historically maintained positive relations with the UAE and engaged with it in good faith. However, he said Abu Dhabi had failed to treat Somalia as a unified and independent state.

“We did not rush into this decision,” Mohamud said, adding that Mogadishu had repeatedly urged the UAE to deal with Somalia through official state channels and to cease “unofficial dealings” that sometimes took place without the knowledge of the federal government.

He said such practices constituted a violation of Somalia’s sovereignty and national dignity, prompting the government to take decisive action.

Mohamud reaffirmed that Somalia remains committed to maintaining good relations with all Arab countries, based on equality, mutual respect, brotherhood, friendship and cooperation.

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