Emirates committed to fighting terrorism in Somalia
For years, Somalia has been one of the most dangerous terrorist hotspots in Africa, causing instability throughout the region. The Al-Shabaab terrorist group, linked to al-Qaeda, has been responsible for numerous attacks that have left thousands dead. In their latest attack, on a military base in Mogadishu, the terrorists killed four Emirati soldiers and a Bahraini military officer who were on a training mission.
- Significant Emirati military presence in Somalia
- Emirates helps Somalia achieve full security autonomy
In recent years, the UAE has increased its presence and investment in East African ports, including the breakaway Somaliland region of Somalia. For Abu Dhabi, protecting the stability of Somalia and the region is a key factor in its security interests in the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea, especially after Somali piracy has resumed, as well as amid attacks by Houthi rebels from Yemen.
The UAE has demonstrated in countries such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Yemen that it can provide military capabilities to deal with Somali terrorism. According to analysts quoted by Al-Ain, the UAE contributed greatly to the Somali army's quick victories in its fight against Al-Shabaab. In this regard, the terrorist group's loss of territory in the centre of the country is one of the most prominent examples of cooperation between Mogadishu and Abu Dhabi.
This partnership was reinforced during Somali Defence Minister Abdiqadir Mohamed Nur's visit to the UAE in January last year. At that time, Mogadishu signed a military, security and counter-terrorism cooperation agreement with Abu Dhabi.
As the Somali minister noted, this agreement is based on "the historical relationship between the two countries and reflects the independence, sovereignty and common interests of the two brotherly peoples".
Significant Emirati military presence in Somalia
However, Abu Dhabi's role in Somalia began decades earlier, when the Arab country participated in several UN missions to combat terrorism and famine in the African nation.
The UAE began its military presence in Somalia in 1993 and 1994, when 640 service forces participated in a humanitarian mission involving 37,000 troops in Somalia. Abu Dhabi also contributed to the peacekeeping mission and provided military units and a field hospital. It also opened a training centre in Mogadishu, where thousands of Somali soldiers were trained, and a hospital.
Because of these actions and their success, the current Emirati presence in Somalia came about at Mogadishu's request within the framework of this bilateral partnership. Abu Dhabi has also presented a series of points to the Security Council with the aim of achieving stability in Somalia.
First, the UAE believes it is essential to "focus on supporting the political track as the basis for achieving sustainable peace in Somalia". Subsequently, assistance to Somalia is needed to address the security threats to building sustainable peace, in particular the Al-Shabaab terrorist movement.
The third point refers to the importance of delivering humanitarian aid in a comprehensive and safe manner amidst waves of displacement caused by deteriorating security conditions and natural disasters. Finally, it is vital to work to help Somalia cope with the impacts of climate change, which has led to increased food insecurity.
Accordingly, and in relation to these points, Emirates set out its priorities for Somalia's needs:
- Key advisory and training role for qualified security forces.
- Contribute to operations against the Al-Shabaab terrorist movement.
- Political support on the international stage.
- Draw attention to the dangers of climate change in a country exposed to successive natural disasters and threatened by the dangers of famine.
- Critical infrastructure, such as hospitals and schools, and providing support in the areas of health and education to improve the quality of life and support community stability.
- Supporting women's empowerment efforts in Somalia
Emirates helps Somalia achieve full security autonomy
After 18 years and three peacekeeping missions, Somalia is preparing to assume full security responsibility as the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ETMIS) prepares to hand over and withdraw from the country later this year.
In this regard, the UAE has consistently stressed in the Security Council the need to ensure the transfer of security responsibilities to the Somali security forces, through deliberate measures to avoid leaving a vacuum for the terrorist group Al-Shabaab to strengthen itself.
The UAE has completed the training and arming of 3,000 Somali soldiers with the aim of empowering them to achieve national security autonomy. These trainings have taken place inside and outside the country and have been used by different battalions to directly combat Al-Shabaab terrorism.
In order to strengthen the authorities in the fight against terrorism, last December the Security Council and the UAE pushed for the lifting of the arms embargo imposed on the Somali government since 1992.