MOGADISHU, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Somalia has terminated all existing agreements signed with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The Cabinet, which met in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, cancelled all agreements signed with related government agencies, entities, and regional administrations to safeguard the nation's unity, territorial integrity, and constitutional order.
According to a statement issued on Monday, the terminated agreements are related to cooperation at the ports of Berbera, Bosaso, and Kismayo in northern and southern Somalia, citing evidence that the UAE has taken steps to undermine Somalia's political independence.
"This decision is in response to reports of strong evidence of serious steps being taken to undermine the sovereignty, national unity, and political independence of the country," said the Cabinet.
The ministers further revoked all existing bilateral pacts between Mogadishu and the UAE, including agreements on security and defense.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the country's sovereignty and urged international partners to respect Somalia's constitutional order and territorial integrity.
The drastic action came after the UAE reportedly began withdrawing military equipment and senior military personnel from Somalia following a move by Mogadishu to ban flights and cargo aircraft from the Gulf state, citing a security breach involving unauthorized military aircraft that entered Somalia's airspace. ■