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Somali Foreign Minister Ahmed Maalim Fiqi revealed the positive role the UAE plays in supporting the stability of his country and combating terrorism, as well as its assistance to the Somali army in fighting the Al-Shabaab movement. He denied media reports suggesting the UAE’s involvement with Ethiopia in escalating tensions in the Horn of Africa.

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In an interview with local media, Fiqi stated, “The UAE is central to the Arab League’s decisions rejecting Ethiopia’s actions, and there is no evidence of its involvement in Ethiopia’s aggressive stance towards Mogadishu.”

He highlighted the UAE’s role in combating terrorism, saying, “UAE drones are heavily involved in airstrikes against Al-Shabaab.”

The minister emphasized the need for self-reliance in combating terrorist organizations, restoring stability, and addressing Ethiopian interventions in the event of an armed conflict. He stated, “Defending the national territory is the responsibility of the Somali people themselves, not other nationalities, but we will ally with anyone who helps us defend our sovereignty.”

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The minister accused Ethiopia of attempting to seize Somali territories through an agreement signed with the Somaliland authorities. He added, “Addis Ababa has ambitions beyond just gaining access to ports.”

He called for the withdrawal of Ethiopian forces within the African mission by the end of their mandate this year, stressing that their presence beyond 2024 would make them an occupying force.

Relations between Somalia and Ethiopia became strained after a maritime agreement was signed by the latter with the separatist region of Somaliland (Puntland) on January 1. The agreement allows Ethiopia to lease 20 kilometers of Somaliland’s coastline on the Gulf of Aden for 50 years.

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Egypt condemned the agreement with Somaliland, as Cairo has been in a dispute with Addis Ababa for years over Ethiopia’s construction of a massive dam on the Nile River for hydroelectric power.

Somaliland authorities have said that in exchange for granting Ethiopia access to the sea, Addis Ababa would become the first country to officially recognize the separatist region, something no country has done since it unilaterally declared independence in 1991.

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The Somali Foreign Minister affirmed that his country would elevate its relations with Egypt to the highest level and rejected any negotiations with Addis Ababa.

He emphasized that Ethiopia had requested mediation from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kenya, and other countries, despite ongoing negotiations mediated by Ankara.

Fiqi threatened to cooperate with armed separatist groups inside Ethiopia, stating that this remains an option for Somalia if Addis Ababa continues to support Puntland and attempt to dominate Somali territories.

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The Somali government recently denied the presence of Egyptian military forces in the country at the moment, as per a military memorandum of understanding signed this month. However, Somali State Minister for Foreign Affairs Ali Mohamed Omar confirmed that Egyptian forces would arrive in the near future to train Somali forces and contribute to rebuilding the army, amidst the growing threat of terrorist organizations like Al-Shabaab.