Thursday August 28, 2025
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met
Wednesday with Sheikh Shakhboot Nahyan Al Nahyan, the United Arab Emirates’
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, to discuss strengthening relations
between the two nations, officials said.
Talks at the presidential palace focused on deepening
economic and security cooperation, according to Somali government sources.
Sheikh Shakhboot delivered a special message from UAE President Sheikh Mohamed
bin Zayed Al Nahyan, reaffirming Abu Dhabi’s commitment to supporting Somalia.
President Mohamud expressed gratitude for the UAE’s
continued assistance and conveyed a message in return, underscoring Somalia’s
determination to enhance bilateral ties while advancing peace, democratization
and development.
The visit comes hours after Qatar donated $3 million to help
drought-affected communities in Somaliland following the failure of expected
spring rains. Somaliland’s Religious Affairs Minister Abdillahi Dahir Jama
Baashe hailed the donation as “a brotherly gesture” in a time of severe need.
Qatar’s contribution signals a shift in regional dynamics.
The Gulf state previously had no formal relations with Somaliland, which sided
with the UAE and Saudi Arabia during the 2017 Gulf diplomatic crisis that
isolated Qatar over accusations of supporting militant groups.
At the time, Somaliland struck a $500 million deal with DP
World, the UAE-based port operator, to expand Berbera Port, modernize the
airport, and build a key road linking Berbera to Wajaale — projects that remain
central to the region’s economic ambitions.