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Somaliland’s president discusses security, investment with UAE leaders
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    Wednesday February 12, 2025


    Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro shakes hands with UAE Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum during the Global Government Summit in Dubai.

    Hargeisa (HOL) — Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro met with UAE Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum on Tuesday to discuss economic cooperation and regional security, focusing on the Red Sea.

    The meeting, held on the sidelines of the Global Government Summit in Dubai, spotlighted the growing ties between Somaliland and the UAE. Irro raised concerns about maritime security following recent Houthi attacks on commercial shipping routes, which have disrupted global trade and heightened risks for vessels transiting the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital maritime chokepoint through which 9% of the world’s oil shipments and 30% of global seaborne trade pass.

    According to a statement from the Somaliland presidency, Irro called for increased cooperation with the UAE to counter maritime threats and safeguard key trade routes along the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

    “The President discussed economic partnerships, investment opportunities, and efforts to maintain regional stability. Additionally, the president requested the UAE’s support for Somaliland’s infrastructure projects,” the statement read.

    The UAE has emerged as Somaliland’s largest investor, particularly in infrastructure and trade. In 2016, DP World, a UAE-based logistics giant, signed a $442 million agreement with Somaliland to develop and manage the Berbera Port, a strategic hub for trade in the Horn of Africa. The deal included expanding the port’s capacity, creating a free trade zone, and modernizing Somaliland’s logistical network to attract further investment.

    Beyond economic and security discussions, Cirro used his visit to reaffirm Somaliland’s commitment to engaging with the international community. Speaking at the summit, he emphasized that Somaliland is open to global partnerships as it seeks formal diplomatic recognition, a longstanding goal for the self-declared republic, which broke away from Somalia in 1991 but remains unrecognized internationally.

    The visit marks the second time Irro has travelled to the UAE in less than a month. He is expected to negotiate additional agreements to attract new investment during his visit.

     





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