MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud defended his government’s decision to terminate all agreements with the United Arab Emirates, citing repeated sovereignty violations.
In a televised address, Mohamud said the move was necessary to protect Somalia’s independence, national unity, and territorial integrity from foreign interference.
He accused the UAE of threatening Somalia’s sovereignty and pursuing policies that encouraged divisions among federal and regional authorities within the country.
“Unfortunately, the UAE did not treat Somalia as a unified, sovereign state,” Mohamud said. “We repeatedly requested engagement with the federal government, but were ignored.”
The president warned that further action would be taken if foreign actors continued undermining Somalia’s national interests, stressing no entity would be exempt from consequences.
Mohamud also condemned Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, describing the move as illegitimate and rejected by the international community, emphasizing the need to defend Somalia’s territorial integrity.
The government terminated UAE defense, security, and port agreements affecting activities in Berbera, Bosaso, and Kismayo, marking one of the sharpest diplomatic ruptures between the two nations.
