Somalia has severed all agreements with the United Arab Emirates, annulling deals spanning key port operations, security cooperation and defence, citing “harmful actions” that undermine the country’s unity and sovereignty.

After the Council of Ministers announced the decision on Monday, Defence Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi said in a post on X that the move was based on “reliable reports and evidence indicating practices linked to the United Arab Emirates that undermine the sovereignty of the Somali Republic, its national unity and political independence”.

There was no immediate comment from the UAE.

Somalia’s announcement appears to be linked to Israel’s recognition in December of Somaliland, a self-declared independent region in northwestern Somalia that broke away in 1991 but lacks international recognition, said Abdinor Dahir, an independent Somalia analyst.

“Many Somalis believe the UAE facilitated Israel’s recognition of Somaliland,” Dahir told Al Jazeera.

“The Somali cabinet’s decision [to cancel agreements] is therefore widely seen as a pushback against the UAE, which is accused of backing non-state actors and separatist forces in Africa, including the [paramilitary] RSF in Sudan,” Dahir said.

Abu Dhabi has long denied accusations that it is arming the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in its war with Sudan’s military rulers.

While the UAE declined to sign a joint Arab-Islamic statement in December condemning Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, on January 7 it released a joint statement with the African Union pledging “support for Somalia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, security and stability”.

Somaliland, which has declared independence from Somalia, has over the past decade emerged as a key hub for Emirati commercial and security investment, including a 30-year concession at the strategic Berbera port held by the UAE company DP World.

A government source close to the decision told Al Jazeera there was anger in Mogadishu at the UAE consolidating influence in Somalia’s breakaway and autonomous regions.

The Africa Center for Strategic Studies, a US-based think tank, estimates UAE investments across East Africa at roughly $47bn, representing 60 percent of all Gulf capital inflows into the region.

Somalia’s move also comes days after reports that Aidarous al-Zubaidi, leader of the south Yemeni separatist group the Southern Transitional Council, travelled to the UAE via Berbera port in Somaliland on January 8 after rejecting Saudi calls to attend talks in Riyadh.

Somalia’s immigration authority subsequently announced an investigation into what it described as the “unauthorised use of Somalia’s national airspace and airports”.

Somalia operates a federal system that grants member states significant autonomy, so it is not clear if they will abide by Monday’s decision.

Two states, Puntland and Jubaland, which have close ties to the UAE, have recently been in a dispute with the federal government over constitutional changes they oppose and issues surrounding the conduct of Somalia’s upcoming elections.

Meanwhile, Somaliland’s Minister of the Presidency Khadar Hussein Abdi dismissed Mogadishu’s authority.

“Somalia’s daydreaming changes nothing,” he said.

“The UAE is a trusted friend of Somaliland. They invested in Berbera when others doubted us. We are a nation of principles, and we stand by our friends.” (Al Jazeera)

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The largest-ever fishing vessel to be manufactured in Sri Lanka was launched at the Dikkowita Fisheries Harbour on Monday (03 Mar).

Designed with modern technology and in compliance with international standards, the 80-foot vessel was built by Danusha Marine for export to Somalia.

Danusha Marine has an established reputation for manufacturing and exporting fishing vessels to countries such as South Korea, Kenya, Sweden, and Norway.

This vessel, which marks a significant achievement for Sri Lanka’s shipbuilding industry, was launched under the patronage of Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Marine Resources Ramalingam Chandrasekar and Minister of Industries and Enterprise Development Sunil Handunnetti.

Commenting on the achievement, Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar emphasized the need for Sri Lanka to expand its shipbuilding capabilities beyond fishing vessels to larger ships.

Meanwhile, Minister Sunil Handunnetti pointed out Sri Lanka’s potential as a shipbuilding hub, given its skilled workforce and strategic geographical location. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka has identified potential areas of cooperation with Somalia as it lies at the crossroads of international maritime and global sea trade, providing easy access to markets in Africa, the Middle East and Europe. 

This was conveyed to the President of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud by Ambassador Theshantha Kumarasiri when he presented credentials to the former as the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Federal Republic of Somalia with residence in Addis Ababa. 

According to the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Addis Ababa, the credential ceremony was held in March 2024 at Villa Somalia in Mogadishu.

President Mohamud was appreciative of the decision made by the Government of Sri Lanka to enhance relations with African countries, including Somalia, in line with its ‘Look Africa’ policy. In light of the strategic location of Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean, President Mohamud expressed his keen interest in exploring opportunities for partnerships between Somalia and Sri Lanka.

During the visit to Mogadishu, Ambassador Kumarasiri engaged in several discussions with competent authorities of the Government of Somalia and potential private sector entrepreneurs in identified fields of cooperation. Further, technical cooperation in the fields of fisheries, the hospitality industry, and agriculture was envisaged.

Ambassador Kumarasiri had a series of cordial discussions with Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ali Mohamed Omar, State Minister of Agriculture & Irrigation Asad Abdirisak Mohamed, Director General of the Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy Abdicate Dirshe, Deputy Director General of the Somali Chamber of Commerce and Industry Professor Ciise M. Xalane,  Principal Advisor to the Minister of Fisheries and Blue Economy Hassan Haji Ibrahim, Ambassador at Large for Spanish & Portuguese Speaking countries Dr. Omar M. Mohamed together with a group of potential business personalities in Somalia to establish favourable business partnerships and joint ventures between Sri Lanka and Somalia.

During discussions, While taking into consideration that the Blue Economy will be a major contributor to continental transformation in Africa and sustainable growth, two parties agreed to take appropriate action to advance knowledge and cooperation in the fisheries industry between Sri Lanka and Somalia in collaboration with international partners.

It was observed that Somalia’s energy requirements are growing due to increasing development in the country. Accordingly, in light of President Mohamud’s determination to restore security, peace, and stability in the country, Ambassador Kumarasiri emphasized his aspiration towards establishing partnerships for economic development, particularly on vast untapped sustainable green energy potential in Somalia, through private sector business partnerships and in collaboration with diaspora community of the two countries.

The discussion was also focused on the potential cooperation in the healthcare industry and agricultural sector between Sri Lanka and Somalia. In addition to the above, attention was also drawn to establishing the potential linkages between the Somali Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI), and identified Business Chambers in Sri Lanka in view of transferring knowledge, sharing technological know-how, building partnerships for infrastructure development and providing innovative technological and professional services, & consultation, while supporting and accelerating long-term benefits for the potential industries.

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Addis Ababa added that it closely engages with the competent authorities of the government of Somalia and private sector organizations in order to further enhance the existing bilateral political, trade & commercial and people-to-people contacts between Sri Lanka and Somalia for the mutual benefits of the people of two countries. (NewsWire)

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