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Somalia’s Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Daud Aweys Jama, has defended the federal government’s decision to cancel its defense and security agreements with the United Arab Emirates, saying the move was a lawful and necessary step to protect the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and public safety. Speaking on Friday, the minister said the government reached the decision after concluding that the agreements were no longer serving Somalia’s national interests and had instead become harmful.
According to Aweys, the termination applies strictly to military and security cooperation frameworks between Mogadishu and Abu Dhabi. He emphasized that the government acted within the law and after careful consideration of the broader impact these arrangements were having on Somalia’s internal stability. The minister noted that while foreign partnerships can be valuable, they must never come at the cost of national dignity or security.
“The decision was taken to safeguard the dignity, safety and territorial integrity of the Somali nation,” Aweys said in remarks to state media. He explained that some forms of external involvement had begun to place excessive strain on Somalia’s public welfare and internal cohesion, making it necessary for the government to reassess and ultimately end the agreements.
Aweys was keen to clarify that the move does not amount to a breakdown in relations between Somalia and the United Arab Emirates. He stressed that diplomatic ties between the two countries remain intact and functional. Embassies and consular services on both sides continue to operate as usual, and political dialogue has not been suspended.
“This is not a severing of relations,” the minister said, underlining that Somalia still values diplomatic engagement and open communication with the UAE. He added that halting military cooperation should not be interpreted as hostility, but rather as a principled decision aimed at protecting national interests.
The minister placed the decision within the broader context of Somalia’s foreign policy doctrine, which he described as being based on mutual respect, transparency, and non-interference in internal affairs. He said Somalia expects all its international partners to recognize and respect the country as a single, unified, and sovereign state. Any cooperation, especially in sensitive areas such as security and defense, must fully align with these principles.
“The Federal Republic of Somalia is open to cooperation with anyone who respects our unity and independence,” Aweys said. “Respect for sovereignty is the foundation of any relationship with Somalia.” He added that partnerships that undermine constitutional authority or national unity are incompatible with Somalia’s long-term stability.
The cancellation of the agreements comes at a time of increased political tension in the Horn of Africa and growing scrutiny over the role of foreign actors in Somalia’s security sector. In recent years, Somali officials have raised concerns about external partners engaging directly with regional entities or institutions without the involvement or approval of the federal government. Such actions, authorities argue, weaken national cohesion and complicate efforts to build a unified state.
Somalia’s government has repeatedly stated that security cooperation must be coordinated through federal institutions to ensure accountability and consistency with the country’s constitution. Officials say bypassing these structures risks deepening political divisions and undermining progress made in rebuilding state institutions after decades of conflict.
Despite the cancellation, the government has made it clear that it is not closing the door to future defense and security partnerships. Aweys said Somalia remains willing to re-engage with international partners, including the UAE, provided any new agreements fully comply with Somali law and respect the country’s constitutional order. He emphasized that Somalia seeks partnerships that genuinely support peace, stability, and the well-being of its people.
The government’s position, he said, is guided by a desire to build balanced and respectful international relationships that strengthen, rather than compromise, Somalia’s sovereignty and unity.