Somalia’s PM apologises to UAE, thanks it for aid
Somali Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble on Friday made an official apology to the United Arab Emirates for the confiscation of aid in 2018, thanking it for its humanitarian support to the country.
Roble’s apology comes at a time when the UAE continues to lend a helping hand to Somalia, which is currently suffering from drought.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, Roble received Emirati aid from the UAE Ambassador in Mogadishu, Mohammed Ahmed al-Othman, to help those affected by the drought.
“Prime Minister Roble made the apology to the UAE for the Somali government’s confiscation of UAE funds at Mogadishu airport in April 2018”, the statement said.
According to the statement, Roble stated that these funds are still with the Somali government, pledging to return them as soon as possible.
According to the statement, Roble thanked the UAE for its support of the Somali people and expressed his determination to strengthen the historical relations between the two brotherly countries.
The aid follows talks between the Somali prime minister and the UAE ambassador in Mogadishu, Mohammed Ahmed al-Othman, on December 7th that focused on strengthening relations and the drought crisis in Somalia.
In April 2018, Somali security forces impounded a UAE civilian airplane at Mogadishu International Airport carrying 47 Emirati Task Forces personnel, seized funds intended to support the Somali army and trainees at gunpoint, and some members of the Somali security forces assaulted UAE Task Force personnel.
