Somaliland and UAE agree to enhance bilateral relations

April 23, 2018

Horndiplomat-Somaliland president, Muse Bihi Abdi receives a large delegation from the UAE, which consists of 12 members.

during the meeting, the president and UAE delegations discussed on the following issues.

1.The Emirates delegation regrets the misunderstanding of BBC interview with the UAE state foreign minister and said they would respond to the matter in writing.

2.The UAE committed to supports Somaliland in strengthening security and pledged to support the armed forces by providing equipment and training.

3.UAE government accepts the import of Somaliland livestock and forthcoming days they’ll start the purchasing of the livestock.

4.The UAE delegation has expressed their commitment to the to the strengthening of relations between the two countries Somaliland and the United Arab Emirates, as the enemies of the two countries feel threatened by the existing cordial relations thence their resolve to distort the real truth by using the media.

The president of Somaliland Muse Bihi Abdi on his side thanked the delegation on their visit to the country and their response for adhering to the pledges made during his previous visit to UAE, finally, the President thanked the UAE government to accept Somaliland passport.

Somaliland & UAE Ties

Somaliland signed an agreement last year with one of the world’s largest port operators, DP World, to operate its Port of Berbera. The agreement with DP World, which is majority-owned by the Dubai government in the UAE, was signed the same year that the UAE’s plans to build a naval base in Berbera were revealed.

It’s the latest example of how DP World’s business dealings in East Africa increasingly mirror the UAE’s military expansion in the region.

The UAE, which is also reportedly building up a long-term military presence in Eritrea, is not the only country with troops in East Africa. Turkey opened a military base in Somalia last year. Neighbouring Djibouti is home to a U.S. base that launches drone missions over Somalia and Yemen, as well as a Chinese military base and Japan’s first overseas base since World War II.

The UAE has invited Somaliland officials for state visits and is building a military base there, suggesting that the country is moving toward recognizing Somaliland’s independence.

Somaliland declared its independence nearly three decades ago from Somalia, but despite having its own currency, parliament, military and legal system The territory has been experiencing stability and economic prosperity and has been influential in the fight against piracy and terrorism in the Horn of Africa.