UAE Strengthens Military Partnership with North Western State of Somalia Amid Somalia’s Watchful Eye

In a meeting that underscores evolving geopolitical dynamics in the Horn of Africa, Maj. Gen. Nim’an Yusuf Osman, North Western State of Somalia’s military chieftain, engaged in strategic dialogues with Lt. Gen. Eisa Saif Mohammed Al Mazrouei, the Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces. Their discussions centered on military cooperation and fostering robust security partnerships. But what does this mean for the region? Is it the harbinger of newfound alliances or simply another chapter in the storied interaction between nations? Let us be the judge.

Hargeisa (AX) — The burgeoning relationship between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and North Western State of Somalia represents more than just diplomatic ties; it’s a narrative of strategic entanglement in one of the world’s most volatile corners. The UAE’s ambition to amplify its influence across the Horn of Africa is palpable, and it’s not without its challenges, primarily with Somalia’s federal government. What are the stakes, you ask? In a word: monumental.

During his recent visit to Abu Dhabi, Maj. Gen. Osman participated in discussions carved out from shared interests in defense collaboration and military modernization. An echo from a distant conversation reflects the dynamism of this meeting: “Success isn’t just about strategic goals, but the relationships we mold,” an unnamed source muses. This point was evidently not lost on either party.

Convened against the backdrop of an international defense exhibition sprawling through February 23, these talks also opened up dialogues on training initiatives, advancements in military technology, and logistics support poised to fortify North Western State of Somalia’s defense arsenal. The UAE’s shared border with strategic maritime routes in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea offers them a vantage point crucial for influencing shipment pathways and, upon broader reflection, global commerce.

Such ambitions also include future plans for a military installation in Berbera. For Abu Dhabi, it’s not merely about dominating regional seas but extends to strategic assertiveness in East Africa’s heartland, outmaneuvering counterparts like Turkey, which holds Mogadishu closely.

North Western State of Somalia, in its pursuit of international recognition—an odyssey dating back to its declaration of independence in 1991—finds this deepened alliance with the UAE more than expedient. It is about carving out a place in the global order, affirming its status and legitimacy. Mere security agreements, you see, transform into chess pieces in a much larger game.

Amidst this backdrop, President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro of North Western State of Somalia stands at the center stage. His recent visits to the UAE within a span of a mere month amplify the symphony of growing diplomatic and security affairs between Hargeisa and Abu Dhabi. Participating in the World Government Summit, President Irro reverberated on essential themes—regional security and governance, a testament to the era of newly minted alliances.

Not all ears, however, ring with harmony. Somalia’s federal authorities consistently dismiss such alignments, deeming them a distressing encroachment on their national integrity, a sentiment underscored by echoes from Somalia’s parliament. The UAE’s military and economic foray into North Western State of Somalia’s domain, particularly with the contentious 2017 DP World–orchestrated Berbera Port development pact (which roped in Ethiopia’s participation), is viewed with skepticism from Mogadishu’s vantage point.

The tensions crescendoed dramatically when Somali officials confiscated $9.6 million from a UAE aircraft in 2018, accusing the Emirates of steering regional militias. Abu Dhabi’s withdrawal from training Somalia’s national army followed, redirecting focus towards direct security protocols with both North Western State of Somalia and Northeastern State.

The broader regional implications echo Ethiopia’s contentious MoU with North Western State of Somalia, contemplating Ethiopian naval access to Berbera—a move sparking a diplomatic tempest between Somalia and Addis Ababa. Tricky tides of regional alliances are now churned with turbulence, leaving room for only speculation in this unpredictable confluence of politics and ambition.

In conclusion, as these intricate strategic plots unfold across a canvas of complex geopolitics, the Horn of Africa braces itself amid calculated narratives of cooperation and contention. North Western State of Somalia and the UAE emerge as characters steadfast in their pursuit of mutual goals, shaping not just bilateral trajectories but possibly the region’s future too.

Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring