(26-03-23) Mogadishu – Somali MP Dahir Amin Jesow has spoken out against the illegal agreement between the UAE and Somalia on Sunday evening on Twitter Space, asserting that it poses a threat to the country’s sovereignty and security. In February, Somali ministers signed an agreement aimed at strengthening military and security ties with the UAE. The ministers are attempting to turn the agreement into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), before it reaches parliament, resembling a previously rejected deal with Kenya concerning territorial waters in 2009.
Jesow, a member of the Somali parliament, claims that the proposed agreement has generated chaos and problems, and must be halted. He is confident that the parliament will reject the agreement, which he perceives as detrimental to the country.
“No Somali likes the deal,” Jesow said. “We are against what is destabilizing the country. I don’t know about political friendship; politics is give and take. UAE voted not to lift the arms embargo on Somalia in November 2022 at UNSC”
Jesow expressed concerns that any Somali forces under UAE command would not benefit Somalia. He recalled the issues caused by such forces in 2016, including targeted assassinations, and stated that such occurrences must not be allowed.
Furthermore, Jesow shared his apprehensions about the UAE’s military buildup in Somalia and its effects on the country’s security. He urged the government to avoid one-sided friendships and ensure that any agreements with foreign powers serve Somalia’s best interests.
The MP questioned the deployment of military vehicles to Jubaland, asking why the UAE would not provide military aid to Mogadishu, the capital city, instead. According to Jesow, this suggests that the UAE might have a hidden agenda.
The UAE-Somalia agreement has triggered widespread concern among Somalis, who worry that it will enable the UAE to exploit Somalia’s resources and meddle in its internal affairs. The Somali government has been encouraged to take action to nullify the agreement and safeguard the country’s interests.
Jesow’s remarks come as Somalia faces numerous challenges, including political instability, economic difficulties, and ongoing conflict with al-Shabab militant groups. The Somali parliament has a crucial role in addressing these challenges and ensuring the protection of the country’s interests.
