By Horn Africa News
ABU DHABI – The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has launched a new mediation initiative aimed at reconciling Somalia’s Federal Government with the administrations of Puntland and Jubbaland, whose relations with Mogadishu have been strained in recent years.
Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni departed today on an unannounced trip to the UAE. His visit coincides with that of Jubbaland leader Ahmed Mohamed Islam “Madobe,” who is already in the country, fueling speculation of joint political talks. The two regional leaders are close allies and have often aligned against federal policies advanced by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
According to reliable sources, the UAE is working on a plan to bring President Hassan Sheikh together with the Puntland and Jubbaland leaders for direct dialogue. The effort reportedly follows a recent meeting in Mogadishu between Somalia’s president and the UAE’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, where concerns over Somalia’s deepening political rift were raised.
Diplomatic insiders say Abu Dhabi is urging Deni and Madobe to engage in talks with the federal government in order to ease tensions and prevent further political fragmentation.
The standoff between Villa Somalia and the two federal member states has persisted for months, primarily over the federal government’s constitutional review and electoral framework—processes Puntland and Jubbaland claim are being monopolized by Mogadishu without meaningful consultation.
While it is unclear whether the UAE can bridge these divisions, observers note that Abu Dhabi’s influence and long-standing ties with Somali leaders give it a unique opportunity to push for compromise.
Political analysts view the UAE’s involvement as part of its expanding role in the Horn of Africa, where it has invested heavily in infrastructure, security, and trade. Abu Dhabi’s dual relationships with federal and regional Somali authorities provide leverage that few other foreign partners hold.
“Somalia’s political crisis has regional implications, especially for counter-terrorism and maritime security in the Gulf of Aden,” said a Nairobi-based regional analyst. “The UAE seeks stability in Mogadishu while also safeguarding its strategic interests in federal states like Puntland, which hosts vital ports and security cooperation projects.”
However, analysts caution that mediation alone may not overcome years of mistrust between Mogadishu and the federal states. Previous attempts at dialogue have collapsed over disputes on power-sharing, elections, and control of security forces.
Even so, the UAE’s push is seen as a potential breakthrough—if it succeeds in convincing both sides to put compromise ahead of confrontation.
