Sources indicate that the UAE is pressuring Puntland President Said Deni and his Jubaland counterpart Ahmed Madobe to attend the national consultative summit in Mogadishu, as the mandates of federal institutions are set to expire in May.
According to a diplomatic official in Mogadishu, the UAE continues to exert influence over the Somali government and its federal member state leaders, as they face tough issues from Mogadishu.
However, reports suggest that Abu Dhabi made an offer to President Hassan Sheikh: to bring Puntland and Jubaland to Mogadishu, in exchange for Hassan Sheikh allowing UAE interests to operate normally in Somalia without interruption. Hassan Sheikh initially agreed.
There are also reports that the UAE’s military aircraft has landed back in Bosaso, a Gulf Of Aden city in eastern Somalia.
Hassan Sheikh needs electoral approval from all regions, including Puntland and Jubaland, both of which have good relations with the UAE.
He requires their input on election models before his term ends in May.
Additionally, Hassan Sheikh traveled to Jig Jigga, the capital of the Somali administration under Ethiopian rule, making him the first Somali president to visit the disputed region.
Ethiopia also maintains good relations with the UAE, and all these efforts are somewhat interconnected.
By: Suleiman Hashi.
