By Nuh Mohamed - Reporter
Somalia, 12 January 2026 — The Government of breakaway region of Somaliland has reaffirmed its commitment to its partnership with the United Arab Emirates, dismissing Somalia’s federal government decision to cancel all bilateral agreements with Abu Dhabi as legally invalid and politically irrelevant to Somaliland.
In an immediate press release issued on Monday, Somaliland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Mogadishu has “no legal jurisdiction, administrative authority, or effective control” over Berbera or any agreements concluded by Somaliland authorities. The statement rejected what it described as Somalia’s “false claims” of authority, stressing that Somalia is neither a party nor a guarantor to Somaliland’s agreements.
“All agreements concluded between the Republic of Somaliland and the United Arab Emirates are lawful, valid, and fully binding,” the government said, adding that such deals were entered into by Somaliland’s competent constitutional institutions to promote development, trade, infrastructure, and regional stability.
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The statement further warned that any attempt by Somalia to suspend or amend these agreements is “legally void” and inconsistent with established principles of international law.
The government also expressed appreciation to the UAE and its leadership, under President Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for what it described as a longstanding partnership and constructive contributions to peace, stability, and economic development in Somaliland and the wider Horn of Africa.
