On March 19, 2025, a delegation from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), led by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sheikh Shakhboot Nahyan Al Nahyan, arrived in Mogadishu for an unannounced visit.
This visit underscores the UAE’s ongoing commitment to strengthening diplomatic and economic relations with Somalia.
In recent months, there have been notable interactions between the UAE and Somalia. For instance, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud made an unannounced trip to the UAE earlier this month, following a diplomatic protest by his government over the UAE’s invitation to Somaliland leader Abdirahman Mohamed Irro for the World Government Summit in Dubai.
Additionally, in February 2025, Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdilahi (Irro) traveled to the UAE to attend the World Government Summit, marking his second foreign trip since taking office.
These developments highlight the UAE’s active engagement in the Horn of Africa, aiming to bolster economic partnerships and regional stability.
