MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Sudan has formally lodged a complaint with Somalia’s federal government, urging it to take immediate action to halt the reported flow of weapons and foreign mercenaries from the northeastern region of Puntland into Sudan – allegedly facilitated by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Caasimada Online news website reported on Tuesday.
During a recent visit to Mogadishu, Sudanese intelligence chief Lieutenant General Ahmed Ibrahim Ali Al-Mufaddal delivered a letter from Sudan’s de facto leader General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, to Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. The letter appealed for urgent intervention to dismantle what Khartoum described as a UAE-sponsored smuggling network operating out of Puntland.
According to Sudanese officials, the UAE has been deploying foreign fighters – reportedly Colombian mercenaries – via Bosaso port and airport, key strategic hubs in Puntland. These fighters are alleged to have joined the ranks of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a powerful paramilitary group currently battling the Sudanese Armed Forces. The RSF has been widely accused of grave human rights violations, including mass killings and sexual violence.
General Al-Mufaddal is said to have met senior Somali security officials, where he raised alarm over the continued use of Somali territory – specifically areas outside the control of the federal government – as a conduit for weapons and fighters fuelling the conflict in Sudan. The ports and airports in Puntland remain under the autonomous region’s authority, which has had a tense relationship with Mogadishu and does not coordinate closely with the federal government on security or foreign affairs.
While the Somali government has not officially commented on the Sudanese delegation’s visit, diplomatic interest in the matter appeared to intensify when a high-level UAE delegation arrived in Mogadishu the following day. Sources familiar with the talks suggest the Emirati envoys sought to reassure Somali leaders and dissuade them from aligning with Sudan’s request.
A second UAE delegation reportedly visited Mogadishu this week, underscoring the UAE’s efforts to maintain strategic influence in Somalia, particularly as relations with the Somali federal government have deteriorated in recent months. The Gulf state has instead deepened its ties with Somaliland and Puntland – two regions that operate with considerable autonomy from Mogadishu and are heavily reliant on Emirati financial and logistical support.
Analysts suggest the Somali government faces a difficult balancing act. While Mogadishu may be inclined to support Sudan’s call to preserve the sovereignty of a fellow African Union and Arab League member state, its limited authority over Puntland’s ports and airports complicates any meaningful enforcement action.
Still, some within the Somali administration are reportedly pushing to publicly expose what they view as a violation of Somalia’s sovereignty by the UAE – using Somali territory to traffic arms and mercenaries involved in a foreign war.
For the UAE, the stakes are high. With its regional footprint expanding and its interests in the Red Sea and Horn of Africa growing, Abu Dhabi appears determined to neutralise any diplomatic fallout before it materialises into formal condemnation or regional censure.
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