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Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has defended his government’s decision to cancel security and port-related agreements with the United Arab Emirates, saying the move was necessary to protect Somalia’s unity, sovereignty, and political independence. In a nationally televised address on Tuesday, the president said the UAE failed to respect Somalia as a single, independent state and acted in ways that went against the country’s constitution and authority.
Hassan Sheikh explained that Somalia entered into agreements with the UAE in good faith, expecting a clear government-to-government relationship based on mutual respect. According to him, that trust was gradually undermined by actions taken without the knowledge or approval of the Federal Government of Somalia. He accused the UAE of dealing with Somalia through multiple channels and engaging with regional authorities in ways that weakened the country’s unity.
The president said his government repeatedly warned the UAE to stop carrying out undisclosed activities inside Somalia and to engage only through official federal institutions. Despite these warnings, he said the situation did not change, leaving the government with no choice but to cancel the agreements. He emphasized that the decision was not rushed and came after long discussions and careful review.
“I want to assure the Somali people that our relationship with the United Arab Emirates was built on sincerity,” Hassan Sheikh said. “However, that relationship could not continue when our sovereignty and independence were not respected.” He added that Somalia allowed enough time for concerns to be addressed and made several efforts to resolve the issues through dialogue before taking action.
The cancellation of the agreements comes amid growing tensions between Mogadishu and the UAE. Somali authorities are currently investigating allegations that the UAE helped transport a separatist leader from Yemen through Somalia without federal approval. In addition, the UAE has been linked to Israel’s recent recognition of Somaliland as an independent state, a move strongly rejected by the Somali government. Somaliland is a self-declared breakaway region in northern Somalia that Mogadishu considers an integral part of the country.
The UAE has long had strong economic and strategic interests in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region, where it competes with other Gulf states for influence. Its involvement in ports, security cooperation, and political partnerships across the region has often been controversial, particularly in countries with fragile federal systems like Somalia.
The decision to cancel the agreements followed a Cabinet resolution to scrap UAE-linked security and defense deals connected to several strategic Somali ports. This move has exposed long-standing disagreements between the federal government and some regional administrations over who has the authority to enter into foreign partnerships. Somaliland, Puntland, and Jubbaland have publicly rejected Mogadishu’s decision and said they will not recognize the cancellation of ties with the UAE.
These reactions highlight deep divisions within Somalia’s federal system, where regional states often pursue their own international relationships, sometimes in conflict with the central government’s policies. Hassan Sheikh has repeatedly argued that such actions weaken Somalia’s position internationally and undermine efforts to rebuild the state after decades of conflict.
Despite the breakdown in relations with the UAE, the president stressed that Somalia is not turning its back on the international community. He said the country remains open to cooperation with foreign partners, as long as such engagement is transparent and respects Somalia’s unity, sovereignty, and constitutional order. According to him, Somalia welcomes partnerships that strengthen national institutions rather than bypass them.
“The Federal Government of Somalia remains committed to constructive international engagement,” Hassan Sheikh said, “but only on the basis of mutual respect, transparency, and full recognition of Somalia as a united, sovereign, and independent state.”
The president’s remarks signal a firm stance by Mogadishu as it seeks to reassert federal authority and control over foreign relations. While the decision may strain ties with a powerful regional actor like the UAE, the government says it is necessary to safeguard Somalia’s long-term stability and national interests.