In the hope of reclaiming its diminishing influence in Somalia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has celebrated the electoral victory of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, a trusted ally.
However, the UAE’s intentions extend beyond the mere presence of a friendly president in office. It has pursued an assertive agenda in Somalia, placing President Mohamud’s government in the difficult position of maintaining a delicate equilibrium between its relations with the UAE and other regional powers.
The Emirates has played a substantial role as an investor in Somalia’s economy, with its companies actively involved in port management, construction and various sectors.
Nevertheless, the UAE’s political and military intervention in Somalia has sparked controversy. Accusations of interference in Somalia’s internal affairs and support for separatist groups in the breakaway region of Somaliland have marred the UAE’s reputation.
In addition, the UAE’s efforts to train and equip its own Somali forces outside the purview of the central government have posed a threat to Somalia’s sovereignty.
In an attempt to navigate this intricate web of alliances, Somalia has sought to balance its ties with the UAE by engaging with other regional powers such as Turkey and Qatar.
These countries have provided aid, investment and support for Somalia’s development while aligning with the government and military of the country.
But, tensions between the UAE and other regional powers have intensified, exacerbating the complexities of Somalia’s diplomatic balancing act.
Disagreements between the UAE, Qatar and Turkey regarding their respective engagements and diplomatic connections with Somalia have further compounded the situation. As a result, Somalia now finds itself at risk of being entangled in regional power struggles. If it leans too heavily towards the UAE, it runs the risk of alienating other crucial partners. On the other hand, distancing itself from the UAE could result in the loss of valuable investments and support.
Experts specializing in the Horn of Africa cautioned that Somalia’s delicate balancing act will require meticulous diplomacy and a nuanced approach to its relationships with regional powers. They suggested that country must weigh the benefits of economic investment and military support from the UAE against the potential risks of political interference and regional conflicts.
UAE’S COERCIVE APPROACH
The United Arab Emirates has adopted an assertive policy towards Somalia since President Mohamud assumed power, aiming to expand its influence in the country while countering the growing influence of other regional actors.
Analysts suggest that the UAE’s policy in Somalia aligns with its broader strategic objectives in the region, which include countering Qatar’s influence, securing access to key ports and strategic waterways and promoting its own economic interests.
Notably, one of the key elements of the UAE’s policy towards Somalia revolves around infrastructure development, particularly in the port city of Berbera. The UAE has made significant investments in the port’s expansion and modernization, envisioning it as a pivotal hub for regional trade and commerce. Additionally, the UAE sought to establish a military base in Berbera to exert power and influence in the region, although it has lost the military base following the termination of the agreement by Somaliland’s President.
The UAE’s hegemonic policies in Somalia have garnered mixed reactions from the international community. While some countries welcome the UAE’s investments in the country’s infrastructure, others express concerns about the growing influence the UAE wields in Somalia.
Experts have also raised questions about the sustainability of the UAE’s investments in Somalia, given the pressures they impose on Somalia’s delicate balancing act.
THE GAME OF INDEBTEDNESS
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has maintained an active presence in Somalia since the outbreak of the country’s civil war in 1991. Throughout the years, the UAE has extended humanitarian aid, military assistance, primarily for regional states and investments in infrastructure projects to Somalia. Nevertheless, the UAE’s engagement in Somalia has become increasingly disputed in recent times.
For years, one point of contention between Somalia and the UAE centers around the establishment of a military base in the port city of Berbera. Somalia perceives this move as a violation of its sovereignty and accuses the UAE of using the base to interfere in its internal affairs.
In response, Somalia has banned the UAE planes from landing at its airports and has terminated a contract with a UAE-owned port operator in Mogadishu.
Somalia has expressed deep concerns regarding the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) support for the breakaway region of Somaliland, which has been exacerbated by the signing of an agreement to operate the port of Berbera.
Somalia perceives this move as a direct threat to its territorial integrity and calls upon the UAE to uphold its sovereignty.
Nonetheless, the UAE’s assertive strategic plans for the Horn of Africa have raised alarm in Somalia. Criticism has emerged, accusing the UAE of seeking to establish a dominant sphere of influence in the region by providing support to various governments and groups, often at the expense of Somalia’s interests. With that, the UAE has faced allegations of backing political factions and federal states within Somalia, thereby undermining the authority of the central government.
UAE-SOMALIA: A COMPLICATED ALLIES
The Emirati Government has also dismissed a recent claim made by Villa Somalia, Somalia’s State House that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s visit to the United States in June was meant to advocate for the lifting of the arms embargo on Somalia.
The UAE has however clarified that it extended an invitation to him to address the UN Security Council on terrorism concerns instead.
During the UN Security Council session, held on June 24, the UAE acknowledged the alarming rise in terrorism incidents in Somalia and highlighted the issue of weapon smuggling from Yemen into the country.
President Mohamud’s journey to New York was part of a routine monthly conference held once every month, with travel expenses amounting to $290,000. However, the outcome of the conference did not yield any concrete results.
This development comes at a time when reports have surfaced, revealing that President Mohamud’s travel expenses have exceeded $5 million within a few months. These revelations have sparked questions regarding the financial management and resource prioritization of the Somali Government.
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