Somalia revokes all agreements with UAE

Somalia’s government has announced the cancellation of all agreements with the United Arab Emirates, citing national security and sovereignty concerns. The decision was announced on Monday following an emergency meeting of the Council of Ministers.

In a statement, the Council of Ministers said, “Having carefully assessed the latest developments and exercising its constitutional authority, the Council of Ministers hereby nullifies and revokes all existing agreements with the Government of the UAE, including those involving government administrative institutions, associated entities, and the Federal Member States,” adding that the decision applied to “all agreements and operational arrangements related to activities in the ports of Berbera, Bosaso, and Kismayo.”

The Somali government further said it had revoked “all existing agreements between the Federal Government of Somalia and the Government of the United Arab Emirates, including all bilateral agreements on security and defence cooperation.”

According to the government, the decision was taken due to “compelling evidence concerning hostile and destabilizing actions intended to undermine the sovereignty of Somalia, the unity of the nation, and the political independence of the country.” Somalia’s state foreign minister Ali Omar wrote on his official X account, “Today’s Cabinet decision is a sovereign, constitutional action taken by the Federal Republic of Somalia after long restraint and careful assessment, in the national interest.”

Speaking to Al Jazeera, Somalia’s Minister of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism, Daud Aweis, said the UAE “has been involved activities that are risking the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia.” Aweis rejected claims that the decision was made under outside pressure.

The move was immediately rejected by Somalia’s federal member states and Somaliland.

In a statement released by Somaliland’s foreign minister, Somaliland said it had “taken note of a statement issued by the so-called "Government" of Somalia purporting to claim authority over agreements relating to Berbera. The Government of Somaliland categorically rejects this claim.” The Somaliland foreign minister added that “Somalia is neither a party to, nor a guarantor of, any agreement concluded by Somaliland.”

Puntland also rejected the federal government’s decision. In a statement, Puntland said, “The news released today by the Federal Government of Somalia claiming that an agreement was signed regarding the development project for the Port of Bosaso and its security, involving Puntland and the Government of the United Arab Emirates, is completely untrue.”

Somalia’s decision comes at a particularly sensitive regional moment, shaped by three overlapping developments.

First, it coincides with Israel’s announcement of its recognition of Somaliland — a move that Somalia’s government has strongly condemned. Somalia’s rejection has received broad support from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Arab League, the Gulf Cooperation Council, and several countries across the region and beyond. Mogadishu has accused the recognition deal of being linked to the “relocation of Palestinians from their land” and the possible establishment of a military base in Somaliland, which Israel could use as a strategic outpost against the Houthis. Somaliland has described the recognition as a diplomatic breakthrough and has consistently denied plans for Palestinian resettlement, although some officials from Somaliland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs have not ruled out the possibility of a military base.

Second, the decision follows reports that the United Arab Emirates allegedly smuggled Yemeni separatist leader Aidarous Al-Zubaidi, head of the Southern Transitional Council, through Somaliland’s port of Berbera before flying him via Mogadishu to Abu Dhabi. Saudi Arabia has accused the UAE of orchestrating the escape after Al-Zubaidi was charged with “treason” and removed from the Saudi-backed Presidential Leadership Council.

Third, the move comes amid an escalating struggle for influence between Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Once close allies, the two Gulf powers now back rival factions in Yemen, and compete for control of strategic ports and maritime routes in the Horn of Africa. Saudi Arabia has recently sought to limit the UAE’s role in Yemen and reduce its influence in the Red Sea, further complicating Somalia’s strategic position.

This is not the first time Somalia’s government has taken action against UAE-linked agreements. In 2018, the administration of former President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo annulled the DP World–Somaliland agreement, accusing the UAE of “undermining Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

While the Somali government has framed the decision as a “constitutional act” taken in the “national interest,” its practical consequences remain uncertain. With key federal member states rejecting the move and regional tensions intensifying, the cancellation of agreements with the UAE sets the stage for a prolonged diplomatic standoff.

The UAE has been a major actor in Somali politics: a key ally of Puntland and Jubbaland, a trainer of Somalia’s armed forces, and an “active counterterrorism partner.” In particular, the UAE has conducted counterterrorism operations in Puntland, including airstrikes targeting militant groups.

This decision, in light of Israel's recognition and the expanding partnership between Somaliland and the UAE, is likely to further complicate the evolving dynamics of negotiations between Somalia and Somaliland, adding uncertainty to a process that has already proven flimsy and collapsed numerous times.