Somalia Brief: Government asserts sovereignty; security operations continue

Jan 13, 2026 — Government defends unity; security, development updates

Top story

• President announces annulment of UAE agreements and addresses the nation. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud explained the Federal Government’s decision to annul agreements with the United Arab Emirates, saying the UAE engaged through multiple channels without proper coordination with Somalia’s central authorities; the President framed the move as protecting Somalia’s unity, sovereignty and constitutional order. (Overview)
  Why it matters: The decision is cast as a defence of Somalia’s sovereign authority and could reshape diplomatic and security ties with foreign partners. (Significance)
  Source: President explains decision to annul agreements with the UAE; Also from: President to address the nation
• Somali National Army conducts air operation in Middle Shabelle; 17 militants killed. The SNA, with international partner support, carried out a planned air strike in Jabad Godone that targeted an Al-Shabaab site used to prepare explosive devices; the report says 17 operatives were killed and weapons and vehicles destroyed. (Overview)
  Why it matters: The operation highlights ongoing security pressure on Al-Shabaab and the army’s active campaign to dismantle militant capabilities. (Significance)
  Source: Somali National Army conducts planned air operation in Middle Shabelle
• High-level federal delegation departs for Las Anod to engage regional administration. A ministerial team including the interior and defence ministers, commerce minister and parliamentary representatives left Mogadishu for Las Anod to discuss governance, security and development cooperation. (Overview)
  Why it matters: Direct federal engagement signals an effort to strengthen ties with the Northeastern Regional State and address priority local issues. (Significance)
  Source: High-level federal government delegation departs Mogadishu for Las Anod

What else happened

• Diplomacy: Saudi Arabia reaffirms firm support for Somalia’s unity and rejects efforts to create parallel institutions — SONNA (Also from: SONNA).
• Bilateral cooperation: Somalia and Türkiye begin implementation of a 2016 labour and social affairs cooperation agreement, setting 15 action points for 2026–2027 on employment, skills and social services — SONNA.
• Education & climate: EU-funded READ project launched in Mogadishu to strengthen renewable-energy education and climate-resilient skills across African and European universities; SIMAD University coordinates the partnership — SONNA.
• Finance reform: Minister of Finance chaired the Financial Governance Committee meeting reviewing revenue mobilisation, reforms and the government’s transparency framework — SONNA.
• City infrastructure: Mogadishu’s mayor inaugurated ten interlocking roads at Suuq Ba’ad market to improve mobility, sanitation and trading conditions in the capital’s second-largest market — SONNA.

On the ground

• Local traders and community members welcomed the new interlocking roads at Suuq Ba’ad, saying the works will ease movement and boost business in a busy market — SONNA.
• The EU READ launch in Mogadishu drew ambassadors and senior ministers, underscoring institutional and academic engagement on renewable energy skills and youth employment — SONNA.
• The Presidency said the President’s address would be broadcast via state media so citizens across Somalia can hear the government’s rationale and next steps directly — SONNA.

Watchlist

• Any official response or follow-up from the United Arab Emirates on the annulled agreements — currently not reported in the feed; watch for statements. (Unclear if UAE has responded.)
• Outcomes and announcements from the federal delegation’s visit to Las Anod on governance, security and service delivery. (See delegation departure report: SONNA.)
• Further details or confirmation about the Middle Shabelle operation and any follow-up SNA actions against Al-Shabaab. (See SNA operation: SONNA.)
• Implementation timetable and early deliverables from the Somalia–Türkiye labour cooperation plan (15 action points for 2026–2027). (See: SONNA.)

Sources: Somali National News Agency (SONNA)

Compiled from public reporting; links above.