According to the latest reports, the Federal Government of Somalia recently announced its decision to terminate all agreements signed with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in order to safeguard national unity, territorial integrity, and constitutional order. This decision has been approved by the Somali Council of Ministers and will be implemented by relevant government departments in accordance with the law. The Somali side stated that this move is a policy decision made after a comprehensive assessment of national interests and the current situation, with clear legal and political grounds.
The Core of the Agreement
The terminated agreements span multiple domains including security, defense, and economic cooperation, encompassing projects related to port operations and infrastructure development. The UAE has long played a role in several key port projects in Somalia, which hold significant importance within the regional trade and shipping systems. The comprehensive cancellation of these agreements implies that relevant cooperative arrangements will undergo reassessment, potentially impacting the progress of existing projects in the short term.
The Trigger for the Breakdown
According to a statement released by the Somali government, the primary reason for terminating the agreement lies in safeguarding national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence. The Somali side pointed out that information in the government’s possession indicates certain actions are deemed inconsistent with the spirit of the Somali Constitution and may impact national unity and political stability.
The Somali government strongly opposes the UAE’s de facto support for “Somaliland.” The Somaliland region unilaterally declared independence in 1991 but has never gained widespread international recognition. However, in recent years, the UAE has made substantial investments in the Port of Berbera in Somaliland, constructing and operating a deep-water port while establishing a military base there with strategic deployment capabilities. The Federal Government of Somalia views this as a serious challenge to its territorial integrity.
Moreover, the immediate trigger for this rupture was a specific security incident. Somalia accuses UAE military aircraft of entering Somali airspace without government authorization, constituting a grave violation of Somalia’s airspace sovereignty. Against this backdrop, the Somali government deems it necessary to reassess and adjust its cooperative relationships with relevant countries.
Reactions and Impact
Following the announcement, reactions within Somalia were mixed. The federal government gained support from some former political figures, who viewed the move as necessary to uphold national unity. However, local administrations voiced strong opposition, taking a clear stance against the decision. The United Arab Emirates has yet to issue an official response, but reports indicate it has begun withdrawing some military personnel and equipment from relevant locations in Somalia.
This incident has directly disrupted the already fragile regional security architecture along the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden coasts. It not only hinders progress in regional security cooperation and counterterrorism coordination but also introduces uncertainty to shipping safety and trade order in the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa. The future trajectory of bilateral relations and the subsequent arrangements for relevant agreements remain to be seen.
