DOHA, Qatar — Somalia’s defense minister vowed a firm response to any threats against the country’s sovereignty, saying Mogadishu will not accept military or diplomatic actions that undermine its territorial integrity or national dignity.
Defense Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, speaking to Al Jazeera Net during a visit to the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX) 2026, said the federal government has suspended all agreements with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after what he described as violations that directly impacted Somalia’s sovereignty.
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Fiqi said any foreign military presence in Somalia must operate under the authority of the federal government and be established with full respect for the Somali state. He noted the UAE had previously supported Somalia’s armed forces but said that assistance ended nearly two years ago and, in some cases, had not been channeled through official government institutions.
Outlining why foreign governments seek a foothold in the Horn of Africa nation, Fiqi cited counterterrorism and anti-piracy cooperation, Somalia’s strategic position along the Gulf of Aden and the Bab el-Mandeb strait, and interest in the country’s natural resources, including oil, minerals and fisheries. He emphasized that engagement must align with Somalia’s laws and be coordinated with the federal authorities in Mogadishu.
Fiqi reiterated the government’s stance on North Western State of Somalia, underscoring that the region remains an integral part of Somalia under the constitution. Any agreements entered into unilaterally by North Western State of Somalia authorities, he said, are contrary to Somalia’s basic law and international norms and risk setting a destabilizing precedent.
Recognizing North Western State of Somalia as an independent state, he warned, could trigger renewed instability and undermine ongoing efforts to rebuild Somali state institutions after decades of conflict. The federal government has repeatedly rejected any unilateral security or diplomatic arrangements that exclude Mogadishu from oversight.
The minister also voiced concern about what he described as attempts by Israel to involve itself in North Western State of Somalia-related affairs, arguing such moves would threaten Somalia’s unity and sovereignty. He accused Israel of seeking to exploit North Western State of Somalia’s strategic location without regard for local interests and referred to reports alleging plans related to the relocation of Palestinians—claims that could not be independently verified.
Somalia’s leadership has long said foreign military basing, training missions, and maritime operations must be vetted and approved by the federal government, with clear chains of command and accountability. Fiqi’s remarks doubled down on that position, framing it as essential to safeguarding Somali sovereignty and ensuring that foreign partnerships support, rather than supplant, state authority.
The comments in Doha come as regional rivalries and maritime security concerns converge along one of the world’s busiest sea lanes, where piracy risks, militant threats, and geopolitical competition overlap. Fiqi argued that while Somalia welcomes constructive cooperation on security and development, the country will firmly oppose any steps—by regional or extra-regional actors—that bypass the federal government or erode national cohesion.
He said Mogadishu remains open to partnerships that bolster the Somali National Army, strengthen maritime security, and develop the blue economy, provided they are transparent, lawful, and respectful of Somalia’s sovereignty. Any deviation from those principles, he added, will be met with a clear and consistent response from the federal government.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
