MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s Jubaland and Puntland State, along with the self-declared republic of North Western State of Somalia, have sharply rejected a federal government decision to suspend cooperation agreements with the United Arab Emirates, deepening a long-running power struggle over who controls ports, security, and investment policy.
In separate statements, the regional authorities said Mogadishu lacks the legal authority to halt or cancel deals they described as lawfully concluded directly between regional administrations and the UAE. They argued that port development, security cooperation and investment projects fall under their constitutional powers and are vital sources of local revenue.
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The rare show of alignment among Jubaland, Puntland State and North Western State of Somalia — which is not part of Somalia’s federal system and claims independence — underscores the stakes around UAE-backed projects and training programs across the Horn of Africa. The UAE is a key investor in ports at Bosaso in Puntland State, Berbera in North Western State of Somalia and Kismayo in Jubaland, and has provided support to regional security forces engaged in counterterrorism operations.
“Ports and local security are the responsibility of the regional administrations, and the federal government does not have constitutional authority to nullify transparently concluded investment agreements,” one statement said. The regional leaders framed the agreements as lifelines for commerce, jobs and public services in areas where formal revenues are scarce and infrastructure is thin.
The federal government’s suspension order, details of which were not immediately released, places Somalia’s contested federal arrangement under fresh strain. Regional leaders say the constitution grants them substantial control over natural resources, local security and economic development. Federal officials, they contend, cannot unilaterally interrupt contracts that underpin port operations and security partnerships on the ground.
The rift carries immediate practical implications. Disputes over ports and security forces risk disrupting shipments, deterring new investment and complicating counterterrorism coordination at a time when Somalia is attempting to consolidate territorial gains against armed groups and attract foreign capital to rebuild key corridors.
The UAE’s visible footprint makes the dispute particularly sensitive. Port expansions in Bosaso, Berbera and Kismayo are central to regional trade routes linking the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, while Emirati support to local security units has been cited by regional authorities as a force multiplier against militants. Any interruption to those ties could widen political and financial gaps between Mogadishu and local administrations.
Somalia’s federal government has not responded publicly to the joint rejection by Jubaland, Puntland State and North Western State of Somalia. Without clarity from Mogadishu on the scope and legal basis of the suspension, it remains unclear whether federal authorities intend to seek renegotiations, pursue legal challenges, or press for compliance through political channels.
The standoff comes amid intensified diplomatic competition in the Horn of Africa, where regional and international actors are vying for strategic and economic influence across ports, logistics, energy and security. For Somalia, balancing foreign partnerships with internal power-sharing arrangements has become a recurring stress test of the federal system.
What happens next will hinge on whether Mogadishu and regional leaders can find common ground on who signs, oversees and enforces international deals. For the communities around Bosaso, Berbera and Kismayo — where port activity and security cooperation are tightly woven into daily life — the outcome will be measured in jobs, stability and the steady flow of goods through the region’s maritime gateways.
Why it matters
- The UAE is a key investor in Bosaso, Berbera and Kismayo, making any suspension consequential for trade and local revenue.
- Regional leaders say port management and local security fall under their constitutional mandate, challenging Mogadishu’s authority.
- The dispute risks disrupting counterterrorism cooperation and foreign investment amid heightened geopolitical competition in the Horn of Africa.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
