Somalia has terminated all agreements with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) following the illegal entry of Yemeni separatist leader Aidarous al-Zubaidi through the breakaway region of Somaliland, highlighting ongoing federal tensions within the country.
The move, announced by Somalia’s Council of Ministers on Monday, cancels deals covering port operations, security cooperation, and defense, reflecting Mogadishu’s frustration with what it sees as the UAE’s disregard for Somali sovereignty.
“The Last Straw”: Aidarous al-Zubaidi’s Unauthorized Entry
Somalia’s state minister for foreign affairs, Ali Omar, described the entry of al-Zubaidi, leader of the now-defunct Southern Transitional Council (STC) in Yemen, as the final trigger for the decision.
“Using Somalia’s airspace and airports to smuggle a fugitive is not something Somalia condones,” Omar told Al Jazeera.
Reports indicate al-Zubaidi traveled on a UAE-registered cargo plane from Berbera port to Mogadishu. While the authorities received the flight manifest, his name was not listed, suggesting he was hiding aboard.
Somalia’s immigration authority has launched an investigation into the alleged misuse of the country’s airspace and airports. Omar added that while this incident prompted action, it reflects broader frustrations with UAE operations in Somalia.
“It was one of the reasons we took this action. Not the reason, but one of the reasons… Diplomacy didn’t work, and so now the constitution has to work,” he said.
Federal Divisions and Regional Reactions
The cancellation exposes deep federal fractures in Somalia, where member states exercise significant autonomy:
- Somaliland, which declared independence in 1991 but remains unrecognized internationally, rejected Mogadishu’s authority to annul agreements.
- Two other Somali regions with close UAE ties also opposed the decision, reflecting complex local dynamics.
Omar stressed that Somalia had exhausted diplomatic avenues before taking action.
“We were hoping things would change, but it did not… Somalia is claiming its sovereignty again and asking people to respect that,” he said.
Broader Regional Context
The decision aligns with Saudi Arabia’s recent assertiveness in the Horn of Africa and Yemen, particularly efforts to curb UAE-backed separatists in southern Yemen. Omar noted:
“A stable Yemen helps stabilize Somalia and vice versa.”
Despite these geopolitical overlaps, Somalia’s Information Minister Daud Aweis insisted the move was sovereign and independent, not directed by Saudi Arabia.
The UAE has yet to comment on Somalia’s allegations or the termination of agreements.
UAE Influence in East Africa
The cancellation also reflects long-standing tensions over UAE investments in Somalia and Somaliland. According to the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, Emirati investments in East Africa total approximately $47 billion, accounting for over half of Gulf funding in the region.
“There was a time that Somalia accepted any help it could get, regardless of how it came through. But that has created challenges,” Omar said.
“Today we have an established government system that needs to be respected. Somalia is trying to reclaim its sovereignty and asking the international community and other partners to deal state-to-state rather than state-to-non-state actors.”
Israel Recognition of Somaliland Fuels Tensions
Relations have also been strained following Israel’s recognition of Somaliland in December 2025, a move many in Mogadishu believe was facilitated by the UAE.
- Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Cirro) welcomed Israel’s recognition, emphasizing that cultural, ethnic, and religious ties among Somalis remain intact.
- Somalia has condemned the recognition, citing concerns over regional security and separatism.
Omar highlighted the security risks of a potential Israeli military presence in Somaliland, warning that it could attract armed groups, including ISIL (ISIS) and al-Shabab, to an otherwise stable region.
“The region has enough mess, enough trouble, enough insecurity. To bring Israel into the region will only create more challenges,” he said.
What This Means for Somalia and the Region
- Somalia’s cancellation of UAE deals is a sovereignty assertion after years of heavy Gulf involvement in port operations and infrastructure.
- It underscores federal tensions, particularly with Somaliland and other autonomous regions.
- The decision may strain UAE–Somalia relations and impact regional dynamics involving Yemen, Israel, and Saudi Arabia.
- International observers are watching how Somalia balances sovereignty, federal autonomy, and foreign partnerships in the Horn of Africa.
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