Tag: military

UAE Calls Off Its Military Engagement with Somalia

UAE Calls Off Its Military Engagement with Somalia

After shipping back all of its military hardware from the two camps in Mogadishu where U.A.E. commanders were training the Somali army, the government of the United Arab Emirates has terminated its military engagement with that country.

The two governments of Somalia and the United Arab Emirates signed a military agreement in Abu Dhabi in January 2024. As per the terms of the deal, Somalia would get military training from the U.A.E., and both sides would cooperate in the fight against terrorism and pirates.

Although the implementation of this project was started immediately, it came to a halt shortly afterwards when it was discovered that there was widespread corruption in the salaries and supplies intended for the military trainees.

The murder of five Emirates commanders who were leading the military training in those camps in Mogadishu in February 2024 has had a detrimental impact on the two nations’ relationship. Three of those officers were nationals of United Arab Emirates.

When it became apparent that the humanitarian rations were being sold in the marketplaces, the US government itself halted food supplies to the Danab brigade of the Somali National Army in April 2024, which was under its training. It is said that Somalia has the world’s most corrupt government and is a failing state.

Given that the United Arab Emirates has decided against rebuilding the Somali army, on the other hand, Qatar is forging a military engagement with Ethiopia at a time that Ethiopia and Somalia are at odds politically because of Ethiopia’s signing of the Somaliland Memorandum of Understanding at the start of the year.

Brig. Gen. Mohammed Ali Al Hajri (left) visiting the Ethiopian Defense University.

A delegation led by Qatar’s Military Attaché to Ethiopia, Brigadier General Mohammed Ali Al Hajri met on Tuesday and discussed with Brigadier General Kebede Regasa, Ethiopian Defense University Commander, various issues including enhancing cooperation in military technology excellence between the two countries, according to Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF).

During a visit to the Ethiopian Defense University, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Ali Al Hajri saw the military academic activities being carried out by the university, including study and research areas, and commented that the activities were vital in increasing the country’s future modern military technological excellence in various military fields, according to ENDF’s readout of the event.

The Commander further explained that by fostering a close relationship between t hi hihe two countries, it was possible to create links in the military educational institutions in many areas of military technology, training, study, and research, among other fields.

Brig. Gen. Kebede on his part highlighted that it was necessary to coordinate and make use of the experiences gained in the educational fields of the military institutions in Ethiopia and Qatar to ensure the effective use of common military technology and further consolidate the multi-faceted relations that already exist between the two countries.

He expressed his belief that the Ethiopian Defense University will further expand cooperation with the military educational institutions of Qatar in all military educational fields including research to use common experiences in the area.

In March this year, Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs, Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed Al Attiyah, met with Ethiopia’s senior defense officials led by Defense Minister Abraham and General Abebaw Tadesse, Deputy Chief of General Staff of Ethiopian armed forces, and discussed bolstering military relations between the two countries. The meeting, which was also attended by Brig. Gen. Mohammed Ali Al Hajri, took place on the sidelines of the 8th Doha International Maritime Defense Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX 2024) and addressed topics of mutual interest aimed at enhancing strategic military alignments between Ethiopia and Qatar.

 

Source: Haatufonline & Addis Standard

 

Unfounded Report on Somaliland’s Military Leadership

Unfounded Report on Somaliland’s Military Leadership

A posting that went viral on social media earlier this week stated that Somaliland would sever ties with the West and turn its diplomatic relationships toward China and Russia in the event that opposition parties win the next elections. The assertion has intensified the current discussion concerning Somaliland’s strategic orientation, given the impression that Western allies are not providing enough backing. Continue reading “Unfounded Report on Somaliland’s Military Leadership”

Any Change Prematurely in the Arms Embargo Policy on Somalia Poses Great Risk

Any Change Prematurely in the Arms Embargo Policy on Somalia Poses Great Risk

This report of Hiraal Institute presents an in-depth examination of the potential consequences of lifting the arms embargo in Somalia. Continue reading “Any Change Prematurely in the Arms Embargo Policy on Somalia Poses Great Risk”

Somalia’s Veering toward Russia & China, Spotlights Somaliland for Reckoning

Somalia’s Veering toward Russia & China, Spotlights Somaliland for Reckoning


China and Somalia have had a friendly relationship for many years. In terms of political and economic relations, China has been one of Somalia’s key allies. China has offered Somalia a variety of services including infrastructure development, healthcare, and education. Continue reading “Somalia’s Veering toward Russia & China, Spotlights Somaliland for Reckoning”

Sudan’s Anti-coup Protesters Overcome Bullets & Beatings

Sudan’s Anti-coup Protesters Overcome Bullets & Beatings

Sudan’s ruling junta has killed over 100 pro-democracy protesters and injured many thousands more amid widespread opposition to an October 2021 coup that upended a democratic transition and deepened a nationwide humanitarian crisis. Continue reading “Sudan’s Anti-coup Protesters Overcome Bullets & Beatings”

US Misreads China in Africa

War on the Rocks published on 3 February 2020 a commentary titled “Africa: The First U.S. Casualty of the New Information Warfare against China” by Caleb Slayton, a U.S. foreign area officer who lived and worked in Africa for 12 years prior to serving as director for the U.S. Air Force Special Operations School, Africa course.

Continue reading “US Misreads China in Africa”