By: ThinkBusiness Africa
The Federal Government of Somalia officially annulled all security, defense, and port-related agreements with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday,saying its sovereignty was undermined by the Emirate.
The Somali Cabinet issued a strongly worded statement citing “compelling evidence” of hostile actions by the UAE designed to “undermine the sovereignty, national unity, and political independence” of the country.
The decision, finalized during an emergency session of the Council of Ministers, orders the immediate termination of all partnerships involving the strategic ports of Berbera, Bosaso, and Kismayo, as well as all bilateral military cooperation.
Last week, Mogadishu accused the UAE of violating Somali airspace and territory to transport Aidarous al-Zubaidi, the leader of Yemen’s UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC). Somali officials described the unauthorized movement as a “hostile activity” that bypassed federal oversight.
Tensions have been simmering since late 2025, following reports that the UAE facilitated Israel’s official recognition of Somaliland. Mogadishu views any international recognition of the breakaway region as an existential threat to its territorial integrity.
“The Somali Republic will no longer tolerate parallel arrangements that bypass state institutions and violate our constitutional order,” stated Defense Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi.
The annulment targets the heart of Emirati influence in the region, the decree effectively voids the $442 million deals held by Dubai-based DP World in Berbera and Bosaso. The move puts years of infrastructure investment into legal limbo.
Following an earlier ban on UAE military flights, reports indicate that the UAE has already begun withdrawing senior military personnel and hardware from bases in Puntland.
The move has created immediate domestic friction. Authorities in Somaliland and Jubaland have reportedly rejected the federal decree, with Somaliland officials labeling the cancellation “legally invalid.”
This rupture signals a major geopolitical realignment. As Somalia distances itself from Abu Dhabi, it is rapidly strengthening ties with Saudi Arabia and Turkey. In a symbolic gesture just hours before the announcement, a Saudi delegation landed in Mogadishu to discuss deepened maritime cooperation.
Analysts warn that the vacuum left by the UAE could impact local security operations against Al-Shabaab, as Emirati-trained units have been a cornerstone of the regional security architecture.
