Somalia and UAE open talks amid diplomatic fall-out

Somali and UAE officials held talks in the sidelines of the just concluded Arab League Summit in Saudi Arabia as the two countries sought to defuse tensions amid a brewing diplomatic row.

Sources from the Foreign Affairs ministry quoted by SONNA news agency indicated representatives from the two nations advanced talks to resolve disputes which by Monday had led to the ending of UAE military support in Somalia.

The Foreign Affairs ministry said Monday it had opened the talks with the Gulf nation and that they had settled the issue of the $9.6 million seized from a UAE plane last week in Mogadishu. It was not immediately clear if there was a mediating country in the talks. Earlier reports indicated Saudi Arabia would mediate in the dispute.

“The Federal Government of Somalia has sought to clarify facts surrounding recent developments in order to remove any room for misunderstanding between the two governments and peoples. This effort continues,” the statement read in part.

“As part of these efforts and after lengthy deliberations between the two governments on the recent incident involving funds that were intercepted at the Aden Adde International Airport on 8th April 2018, the UAE has explained the purpose and the utilization of the said funds and the Federal Government will work together with the UAE on their utilization.”