Somali PM flies to UAE on maiden visit to mend ties

According to the office of the PM, Roble jetted off to the Gulf country after receiving an invitation to visit Abu Dhabi amid election turmoil in Somalia and a bitter feud between him and President Farmajo.

News Keydmedia Online
30 January 2022

MOGADISHU, Somalia – The Prime Minister of Somalia Mohamed Hussein Roble has left the country for the UAE on Sunday amid strained diplomatic relations between the two Arab League member states.

This is the PM's first visit to the United Arab Emirates since taking office in September 2020 from the ousted premier Hassan Ali Khaire who is currently a presidential candidate contesting against Farmajo.

The maiden trip comes weeks after Roble apologized to the UAE for the seizure of $9.6 million cash from Abu Dhabi on a plane at Aden Abdulle International Airport in Mogadishu in April 2018 by NISA officers.

Shortly after the PM flew to Abu Dhabi, Benadir regional court has ordered the central bank and the minister of finance not to release the seized money as an investigation was underway. 

According to the office of the PM, Roble jetted off to the Gulf country after receiving an invitation to visit Abu Dhabi amid election turmoil in Somalia and a bitter feud between him and President Farmajo.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is one of the Gulf countries competing for the influence in Somali politics which Qatar has dominated over the past five years, thanks to Fahad Yasin who facilitated.

Multiple sources confirmed to Keydmedia English service that UAE invited the leaders of Puntland and Jubaland Said Deni and Ahmed Madobe respectively with an aim to have an impact on the next election.

UAE is making efforts to oust Farmajo to defeat Qatar in Somalia. Abu Dhabi maintained close ties with Puntland and Jubaland states, providing them port projects and training for their troops.

KEYDMEDIA English