Somalia cuts ties with UAE on key port agreements

(MENAFN) The Somali government has terminated its security and defense agreements with the United Arab Emirates tied to several strategic ports, citing violations of national sovereignty, unity, and political independence, according to a statement from the prime minister’s office on Monday.

The decision came after “reports and strong evidence regarding wrongful actions that undermine the sovereignty, national unity, and political independence” of Somalia, the statement said.

During a Cabinet meeting, ministers agreed to cancel all agreements and cooperative arrangements related to the ports of Berbera, Bosaso, and Kismayo. The government also approved a draft sovereignty protection law and an arbitration bill.

The proposed sovereignty law would prohibit regional administrations and private entities from signing agreements with foreign parties without prior approval from the federal government and oversight by the relevant ministry.

The move follows an investigation by Somalia’s Immigration and Citizenship Agency into the alleged unauthorized use of Somali airspace by Aidarous al-Zubaidi, head of Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council (STC).

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