UAE Support Cited as Cause of Somalias Fragmentation

Somali Minister Attributes Separatist Divisions to External Support

The Somali government has attributed the fragmentation of the country to external support from a regional power. According to the Ministry of State for Foreign Affairs, several regions in Somalia have received backing from the United Arab Emirates.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, the minister stated that “external elements” are responsible for the separatist divisions within Somalia. The minister did not specify which countries or organizations were providing support.

The minister’s comments come as tensions between Somalia and Somaliland, a self-declared state in the north, have escalated in recent years. Puntland and Jubaland, two other regions in northern Somalia, have also been accused of seeking greater autonomy from the central government.

The UAE has been accused of backing separatist movements in Somalia, including those in Somaliland and Puntland. The country’s foreign ministry has denied any involvement in Somali politics.

The Somali government has long sought to maintain unity among its regions, but external support for separatist movements has complicated efforts to achieve this goal. The minister’s comments highlight the role of external actors in exacerbating tensions within Somalia.

The situation remains fluid, with ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the conflicts between Somalia and Somaliland.

Source: Al Jazeera