Somalia has warned of potential action against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) following Somaliland President Abdirahman Irro’s high-profile invitation to the World Governments Summit in Dubai.
“Somaliland is a region within Somalia with grievances we seek to resolve through dialogue,” said Somalia’s Foreign Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, reaffirming Mogadishu’s stance that Somaliland remains part of Somalia.
Earlier this month, President Irro was given a prominent platform at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, where he called on the international community to recognize Somaliland as an independent state.
Initially, Somalia downplayed the visit, comparing it to trips made by leaders of its federal states.
However, Foreign Minister Fiqi has now made it clear that Mogadishu will not ignore what it sees as interference in its sovereignty.
“Somalia will not tolerate interference,” he said, adding that the government is taking steps to address its relations with the UAE.
He did not specify what measures Mogadishu intends to take.
Diplomatic Fallout Over Somaliland’s International Recognition Bid
Irro’s visit, his first foreign trip since taking office, has escalated diplomatic tensions between Mogadishu and Abu Dhabi.
His state-level reception in the UAE has been seen as an implicit challenge to Somalia’s territorial integrity.
During the summit, President Irro addressed representatives from over 30 governments, highlighting Somaliland’s strategic location and governance as key reasons for international recognition.
He also spoke alongside Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman and CEO of DP World, which holds a 51% stake in Somaliland’s Port of Berbera—a key infrastructure project strengthening UAE-Somaliland ties.
In his speech, Irro also referenced the potential for U.S. recognition, stating: “We have strong relations with the United States, the United Kingdom, and other countries. Given our democratic governance, we hope the international community will acknowledge Somaliland’s sovereignty.”
“We hope that the United States may be the first country to recognize Somaliland,” he added, alluding to the anticipated foreign policy stance of U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration.
Relations between the UAE and Somalia’s federal government have been at their lowest point in recent years, with Abu Dhabi strengthening direct engagements with Somaliland and Puntland—two regions that have distanced themselves from Mogadishu’s central authority.
While Mogadishu has yet to outline specific countermeasures, its warning signals a deepening diplomatic rift over Somaliland’s growing international outreach.
