Somalia’s regional administrations of Puntland, Jubbaland and Somaliland have strongly rejected a federal government decision to cancel security and defense agreements linked to several strategic ports, deepening tensions between Mogadishu and regional authorities over control of foreign partnerships and national sovereignty.

The Somali Cabinet on Monday voted to annul all security and defense agreements and cooperative arrangements related to the ports of Berbera, Bosaso and Kismayo, citing what it described as serious breaches of Somalia’s sovereignty, national unity and political independence. The decision was taken during a Cabinet meeting in Mogadishu

Regional leaders swiftly pushed back.

 

Puntland authorities said the federal government has no legal authority to interfere in security agreements connected to the Bosaso port development project or another security cooperation between Puntland and the United Arab Emirates. In a statement, Puntland described its cooperation with the UAE as lawful, legitimate and necessary for regional security and economic development.

Jubbaland’s presidency said it does not recognize the Cabinet decision, arguing it violates Somalia’s provisional constitution and infringes on the constitutional powers granted to federal member states. The statement said agreements related to Kismayo fall under Jubbaland’s jurisdiction.

Somaliland, which considers itself independent from Somalia, issued the strongest rejection. In a statement, the Somaliland administration said Berbera lies within what it described as an independent territory and that Somalia has "no legal, administrative or security authority” over the port. It said all agreements with the UAE were approved by Somaliland’s constitutional institutions and are aimed at boosting trade, infrastructure and regional stability.

The federal government’s decision followed an investigation by Somalia’s Immigration and Citizenship Agency into the alleged unauthorized use of Somali airspace and territory in connection with the movements of Aidarous al-Zubaidi, head of Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council, a UAE-backed separatist group.

The Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen has accused al-Zubaidi of defying instructions to travel to Riyadh for talks, instead mobilizing forces toward Al-Dhale in southwestern Yemen. Coalition spokesperson Maj. Gen. Turki al-Maliki later alleged that al-Zubaidi fled the southern Yemeni city of Aden by sea before leaving the region by air, with Abu Dhabi facilitating his transit through Somali territory.

Al-Maliki said al-Zubaidi boarded a flight accompanied by aides "under the supervision of UAE officers.” The Southern Transitional Council has denied the claims, insisting its leader remains in Aden.

Somali officials have not publicly confirmed whether al-Zubaidi passed through Somali territory, but the Cabinet cited the broader investigation as part of the context for its decision.

The dispute highlights long-running tensions between Somalia’s federal government and regional administrations over control of ports, foreign security partnerships and the division of powers under the federal system. Analysts say the standoff risks further straining relations at a time when Somalia faces heightened regional pressure, security challenges and diplomatic fallout linked to broader Middle East rivalries.

SOURCE:-HOL