Fiqi Links Opposition Meetings in Abu Dhabi to RSF, Warns of Militia Mobilisation

MOGADISHU — Somalia’s Defence Minister, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, has accused opposition politicians of meeting with representatives linked to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Abu Dhabi, claiming the gatherings are part of a plot against Somali statehood and peace.

In a statement posted on social media, Fiqi said the politicians were learning methods of organising militias and warfare from the RSF. He described the RSF as a force hired to destroy Sudan, adding that it was “unfortunate” that Somali politicians and the RSF were being brought together in the same place.

The Minister warned that the politicians would return with plans to undermine Somalia’s statehood, attempting to mobilise militias and revive warlord-style politics. He stated that the government has a duty to firmly oppose anyone endangering peace, statehood, and national sovereignty.

Opposition Figures Reportedly in Abu Dhabi

Reports circulating in Somali political circles indicate that several prominent figures opposed to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud are in Abu Dhabi for talks. Among those reportedly involved are former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni, Jubaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam (Ahmed Madobe), MP Abdullahi Mohamed Sanbalashe, and other senior political figures.

The meetings are reportedly focused on Somalia’s political situation, the future of the federal government, and disagreements over the electoral process. Some reports claim discussions include possible strategies to pressure Hassan Sheikh’s administration to leave office, though there has been no independent confirmation of any formal agreement or plan to remove the president.

Fiqi’s History of Accusations Against the UAE

This is not the first time Fiqi has linked Somali opposition figures to foreign actors. In June 2026, following clashes in Mogadishu between government troops and opposition-aligned militias, Fiqi accused a former prime minister and an ex-president of orchestrating an armed coup attempt, as reported in FTL Somalia’s coverage of the allegations. He likened the opposition forces to Sudan’s RSF, branding them the group’s “Somali wing.”

At that time, Fiqi claimed without providing evidence that some of the politicians involved were acting on behalf of foreign interests, alleging they had been “hired by the United Arab Emirates.”

In January 2026, Somalia formally severed all agreements with the UAE, annulling deals covering port operations, security cooperation, and defense. The government cited “credible reports and compelling evidence” pointing to actions deemed harmful to Somalia’s independence, national unity, and political sovereignty. The decision also led to the suspension of UAE security support, as detailed in FTL Somalia’s coverage of the diplomatic fallout.

RSF’s Alleged Network Through Somalia

The Minister’s accusations come amid growing international scrutiny of the RSF’s supply networks, which reportedly pass through Somali territory. A UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan found “reasonable grounds to believe” that a network spanning the UAE, Chad, southeastern Libya, and Puntland in Somalia facilitated RSF operations through interconnected air, land, and maritime routes.

As reported in FTL Somalia’s coverage of the UN report, the investigation identified Bosaso, the commercial capital of Puntland, as “a recurring logistical hub and transit point” for weapons, personnel, and military supplies moving into RSF-controlled areas.

Witnesses described Ilyushin-76 cargo flights linking Bosaso with Kufra and Benghazi in Libya and with Chad. The report documented the deployment of up to 2,000 former Colombian military contractors who operated combat drones and advanced weapons alongside RSF units. A US Senate statement also raised concerns about Somaliland’s alleged role in the supply routes, as detailed in FTL Somalia’s coverage of the Senate statement.

Critical Note

Defence Minister Fiqi’s statement linking Somali opposition figures to the RSF is the latest escalation in a pattern of rhetoric that has intensified over the past year. The Minister has repeatedly accused the UAE of undermining Somali sovereignty, and in June 2026 he described opposition forces as the “Somali wing” of the RSF. Now he has extended that framing to include meetings in Abu Dhabi, asserting that opposition politicians are learning militia tactics from the Sudanese paramilitary group.

The critical issue is the absence of publicly available evidence to support these claims. Fiqi has not presented documentation showing that Somali opposition figures met with RSF representatives or that they are planning militia mobilisation. The UN report on RSF supply routes through Bosaso provides documented evidence of a logistics network operating through Somali territory, but it explicitly does not conclude that Puntland or federal authorities knowingly participated. The report also does not connect Somali opposition politicians to that network.

The broader political context is also relevant. Somalia is in the midst of a contested political transition, with disputes over elections, constitutional amendments, and federal-regional relations. The government’s decision to frame opposition activity as a security threat rather than a political challenge risks further polarisation. If the government has evidence of illegal coordination with the RSF or foreign-backed militia mobilisation, it should present it through proper legal channels. If it does not, such accusations serve primarily to delegitimise political opponents and narrow the space for dialogue.