ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – The African Union Commission (AUC) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) reaffirmed their support for Somalia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security during a high-level meeting in Addis Ababa on Tuesday.
The meeting brought together Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, and Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of State, building on prior consultations in Abu Dhabi in September 2025 under a 2019 Memorandum of Understanding.
In a joint statement, the officials emphasized the importance of political dialogue and regional stability, linking Somalia’s security to broader peace and development priorities across the Horn of Africa. They underlined the role of the African Union’s peacekeeping and political support mechanisms in strengthening Somalia’s resilience against ongoing security threats.
The statement also highlighted the broader AU–UAE agenda, including initiatives on peace, security, trade, and development, while stressing the interdependence between stability in the Horn of Africa and prosperity in the Arabian Gulf.
While discussing regional dynamics, both sides reiterated their condemnation of violations of international law and emphasized the need for durable solutions in neighboring conflict zones, citing Sudan as an example.
The meeting also reinforced cooperation on innovation and sustainable development, noting the UAE’s USD 1 billion “AI for Development” initiative and collaboration on water resilience projects, including the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative, as part of Africa-wide efforts to support stability and growth.
The AUC and UAE concluded the meeting by reaffirming their commitment to Somalia’s peace, sovereignty, and long-term stability, as part of a wider partnership to promote security and sustainable development across Africa.
