State leaders urge Fed. Govt to resolve UAE row

Regional state leaders have called on the Federal Government to resolve the row with the UAE noting the dispute would pose serious security and economic threats to the country.

In a communique released Wednesday following a three days meeting in Baydhabo, the capital of South West State, leaders of the four administrations said also accused the government of taking sides in the dispute.

“The Council expresses concern over the worsening relations between the Federal Government and the United Arab Emirates and Somalia which the government has chosen to take sides,” the leaders under the Council of Cooperation umbrella said.

The remarks come amid an ongoing row between Somalia and UAE which started last June after Somalia declared it would maintain a neutral stance in the Gulf Crisi. However regional administrations chose to stick with the UAE-Saudi axis and are now accusing the Federal Government of ‘doublespeak’. While arguing for neutrality, Jubbaland leader Ahmed Madobe last week upon arrival from Abu Dhabi, the Federal Government is in bed with Qatar.’

But despite calling for a truce, the regional states maintain entrenched relations with UAE which has in the recent months hosted all state leaders at different times. Puntland has fought against the termination of military support by the UAE noting it would adversely affect security of the country and particularly Puntland.

The statement from the leaders also comes as President Mohamed Farmaajo is still in Qatar for a second visit since he came to office last February. The Qatari government pledged a $200 million roads construction support for Somalia last year linking the capital Mogadishu and Afgoye in Lower Shabelle region. Planning Minister Gamal Hassan and his Health counterpart Fawziya Abikar said Tuesday they had inked deals with their Qatari counterparts on several projects. Hassan added the Qatari government would implement earlier agreed projects.

The state leaders also called on the government to ‘immediately end interference on state politics’ warning such interference would be tantamount to stability and security. Both levels of government, the CIC said should focus efforts in fighting terrorism.