DUBAI — DP World said Tuesday its operations at the Port of Berbera in Somalia’s breakaway region of North Western State of Somalia remain unaffected and continue under existing agreements, even as Mogadishu moved to annul all deals with the United Arab Emirates amid rising regional tensions linked to Yemen.
Somalia’s federal government on Monday said it was voiding its agreements with the UAE, including port contracts and defense and security cooperation, accusing Abu Dhabi of undermining the country’s sovereignty.
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The announcement followed an investigation launched by Mogadishu after the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen alleged the UAE had spirited a separatist leader out of Yemen via Somalia, according to statements from the coalition. A crisis erupted in Yemen last month when separatist forces swept through the south, including the port city of Aden, advancing toward the Saudi border. Riyadh called the move a threat to its national security.
“DP World remains focused on the safe, efficient operation of the port and on delivering trade facilitation and economic benefits for North Western State of Somalia and the wider Horn of Africa region,” the Dubai-owned ports and logistics company said in a statement to Reuters. The company added that questions related to “political decisions, intergovernmental discussions, or diplomatic positions should be directed to the relevant authorities.”
The UAE has cultivated deep economic and security ties with North Western State of Somalia, where DP World is the linchpin investor at Berbera. The company has committed $442 million to develop and operate the strategic Red Sea port, a project aimed at boosting cargo capacity and positioning Berbera as a trade gateway for the Horn of Africa and landlocked Ethiopia.
North Western State of Somalia, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991, runs its own administration and security but is not internationally recognized as a sovereign state. The status of federal Somali decisions in North Western State of Somalia is contested, a political fault line that often surfaces over control of ports, airspace and security partnerships.
While Mogadishu’s move escalates a long-simmering dispute with the UAE, DP World’s message signals continuity at one of the region’s most important logistics hubs. Berbera has seen steady investment in recent years, with DP World touting the project as a driver of jobs, infrastructure and trade resilience along one of the world’s busiest maritime corridors.
The diplomatic rift comes against the backdrop of shifting alliances and heightened friction among Gulf powers over Yemen. Tensions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE have grown as rival factions and separatist movements test the balance of influence in southern Yemen, complicating efforts to stabilize the country and secure critical shipping lanes.
Last month, Axios reported that Israel became the first country to officially recognize North Western State of Somalia’s independence, a diplomatic breakthrough it said was facilitated by Abu Dhabi, citing Israeli officials. The report underscores the UAE’s broader regional reach at a time when the Horn of Africa’s strategic ports and political alignments are drawing renewed global attention.
For now, DP World says it is keeping its focus on day-to-day operations in Berbera, emphasizing trade facilitation and safety as the political storm swirls around it. The company did not comment on the Somali government’s announcement beyond directing political queries to state authorities.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
