A Gulf nation helping Somalia bring soldiers in Eritrea back home

Qatar previously pledged to pay the cost of the flights but made a U-turn after Farmajo lost reelection in May this year.

News Keydmedia Online
20 December 2022

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The UAE has made a promise to Somali president Hassan Sheikh regarding the return of five thousand soldiers stuck in Eritrea for two years after completed their training.

The President said yesterday that the first unit will be brought to the country this month, and the rest in January 2023.

A diplomatic source told KON that the UAE assured Hassan Sheikh to cover the flight expenses.

Eritrea trained 5,000 young soldiers who were secretly recruited and sent by Fahad Yasin, former intelligence chief in 2019 and 2020.

Their return was delayed several times due to financial issues and political and electoral crisis in the country last year.

Hassan Sheikh made his first trip to Abu Dhabi in June 2022, to strengthen relations with the UAE after Farmajo severed the cooperation.

Qatar initially pledged to pay the cost of the flights but made a U-turn after Farmajo lost reelection in May this year.

UAE and Qatar have been competing for the dominance in Somalia and their geopolitical rival interests largely impacted the country.

KEYDMEDIA English