Somalia Warns Against Deals with Regional Entities Amid Fall-Out Over UAE Row

GOOBJOOG NEWS| MOGADISHU: The Federal Government has warned against any foreign agreements concluded without Mogadishu’s knowledge and approval, escalating a fresh constitutional and political standoff with key Federal Member States after the cabinet moved to cancel all agreements with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Information Minister Da’uud Aweys Jama told the BBC Somali Service that any arrangement signed with a regional administration is “null and void” unless it has been approved by and formally communicated to the Federal Government. He said any government or individual pursuing such deals would be seen as undermining Somalia’s unity and national identity.

The remarks followed a decision by the Council of Ministers to annul all agreements and memoranda of understanding the Federal Government had with the UAE, which Mogadishu says were suspended due to what it described as violations of Somalia’s sovereignty.

The decision has triggered swift backlash from Puntland and Jubaland, which have maintained close relations with Abu Dhabi and host major UAE-linked commercial and security projects.

The two FMS which have been at loggerheads with the Federal Government, vowed to continue existing cooperation with the UAE, including agreements tied to security and development. Puntland has an ongoing 30 year concession with UAE’s P&O Ports which manges the port of Bosaso.

DP World which also runs a 30-year concession with Somaliland separately, said its operations at Berbera port in Somaliland would remain unaffected by the dispute, underscoring the depth of UAE-linked commercial footprints in Somalia’s regions.

Mogadishu’s has insisted it holds authority to enter into international agreements while warning that foreign governments dealing directly with regional administrations risk aggravating fragmentation in the country.

The dispute adds to long-running tensions over control of ports, security partnerships, and revenue.