By HAN News Desk
MOGADISHU — Somalia’s foreign minister has said that some assistance previously provided by the United Arab Emirates to Somalia was diverted into the hands of armed groups, raising serious security concerns and highlighting the need for stronger oversight of foreign support.
Foreign Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi said the assistance, which included security-related support, did not always pass through official government channels, allowing it to be misused by non-state armed actors operating inside the country.
Speaking at a public forum and later quoted by local media, Fiqi said the lack of coordination with Somalia’s federal authorities created security risks at a time when the country is fighting a long-running insurgency by the al-Shabab militant group.
“Any support that does not go through recognized state institutions poses a danger to national security,” Fiqi said. “We have seen cases where such assistance ended up strengthening armed groups rather than the Somali state.”
The minister did not specify which groups benefited from the diverted assistance or provide exact timelines, but his remarks appeared to reference past security cooperation arrangements involving foreign partners operating outside direct government control.
Somalia has relied heavily on international support for decades to rebuild its security forces and institutions following the collapse of the central government in 1991. However, Somali officials have repeatedly warned that uncoordinated foreign involvement can undermine state authority and fuel instability.
Fiqi emphasized that the current government is committed to ensuring all foreign military, financial and logistical support is channeled through transparent, accountable state mechanisms. He said Mogadishu is seeking partnerships that respect Somalia’s sovereignty and align with national security priorities.
The comments come as Somalia intensifies operations against al-Shabab, which continues to carry out bombings and targeted attacks despite sustained pressure from Somali forces and their allies.
The UAE has previously been a key partner for Somalia, providing humanitarian aid, development assistance and security support. Relations between Mogadishu and Abu Dhabi have experienced strains in recent years over disagreements related to security cooperation and the management of aid and military assistance.
Somali officials say lessons from past experiences are shaping current policies aimed at preventing external support from being exploited by armed groups and ensuring that international assistance strengthens, rather than weakens, state institutions.
