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Saudi Arabia is holding advanced discussions with Somalia and Egypt about creating a new military and security partnership focused on the Red Sea, according to people familiar with the talks. If finalized, the agreement would significantly expand Saudi Arabia’s role in the Horn of Africa and reshape regional alliances at a time of rising competition between Gulf states.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is expected to visit Saudi Arabia in the coming weeks to finalize key parts of the proposed arrangement. The discussions are centered on strengthening cooperation in maritime security, military coordination, and broader regional stability along the Red Sea corridor. While talks are progressing, officials involved say several details are still being negotiated and have not yet been made public.
The negotiations come shortly after Somalia’s federal government announced it was canceling existing security and port-related agreements with the United Arab Emirates. Somali officials accused the UAE of undermining national sovereignty by dealing directly with regional authorities without approval from the federal government in Mogadishu. The move marked a sharp shift in Somalia’s foreign security relationships and signaled a stronger push by the federal government to control all international partnerships.
Saudi officials have reportedly encouraged Somalia to reduce its reliance on the UAE. Tensions between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi have increased in recent years, especially over regional influence in places like Yemen. While both countries are long-time partners, they have increasingly supported different strategies and allies across the Middle East and Africa, creating quiet but persistent rivalries.
Saudi Arabia has traditionally supported Somalia’s unity and its fight against the militant group Al-Shabaab, mainly through diplomatic channels and political backing. A formal military and security pact would represent Saudi Arabia’s most direct involvement in strengthening Somalia’s security institutions. Such a move would also place Riyadh more firmly at the center of Red Sea security efforts, a region that has become increasingly important for global trade and regional power balance.
A Somali government spokesperson confirmed that discussions on a new agreement are ongoing but declined to share further details. Saudi and Egyptian officials have so far remained silent, neither confirming nor denying the specifics of the talks. Despite the lack of official statements, the timing and scope of the discussions suggest a coordinated regional effort.
The UAE, meanwhile, has expanded its influence across Africa as part of a broader strategy to grow its economic interests and political reach. It has been active in countries such as Libya and Sudan and has invested heavily in Somali ports, including Berbera in Somaliland and Bosaso in Puntland. While Abu Dhabi has publicly stated that it supports Somalia’s territorial integrity, its close ties with regional administrations have often caused friction with the federal government.
Somalia’s decision to cancel UAE agreements also comes amid renewed diplomatic attention on Somaliland, the self-declared state that is not internationally recognized. Reports circulating in regional media about possible foreign recognition of Somaliland have not been confirmed, but they have heightened sensitivities in Mogadishu. Somalia’s allies, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey, have repeatedly reaffirmed their support for Somalia’s unity and opposed any actions they believe could legitimize Somaliland’s independence.
Saudi Arabia recently used its influence within the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, headquartered in Jeddah, to rally member states against what it described as unilateral actions that could destabilize the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region. Egypt has also taken a strong interest in these developments, viewing Red Sea security as a core national concern. Last year, Cairo signed a separate cooperation agreement with Somalia aimed at improving military coordination and supporting Somali state institutions.
Overall, the talks point to a shift in how Red Sea security partnerships may be structured. Somalia appears determined to reassert federal authority over foreign engagement while aligning more closely with partners that openly support its unity. Whether the emerging partnership leads to concrete military support on the ground or remains largely diplomatic will likely become clearer in the coming months.