Abu Dhabi: President Hassan Shaikh Mohammad of the Republic of Somalia has commended the UAE’s outstanding stance under the leadership of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to support his country. He also expressed his gratitude to His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, for his role in supporting development in Somalia.
President Mohammad noted the historical ties binding the UAE and Somalia, praising the distinguished support provided by the UAE in the humanitarian and development areas and its efforts in fighting terrorism.
In an exclusive interview with the Al Ittihad newspaper, the Somali President said that his country has a historical relationship with the UAE, adding that the UAE government and people have been at the forefront of those who have stood by the people of Somalia since the collapse of the central government in 1990 and the outbreak of civil war, and the spread of poverty and famine; UAE has provided significant contributions to alleviate the suffering of the Somali people along with opening of schools, hospitals and clinics.
He expressed his appreciation for the role played by the UAE’s charitable and humanitarian institutions, particularly the Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation and the Emirates Red Crescent.
He also pointed out that the UAE has effectively contributed in supporting the Somali government’s efforts to restore security and stability through the training of Somali police and military personnel along with establishing training centres and barracks for recruits.
The UAE has also been at the forefront of countries that opened an embassy in Mogadishu, which follows up on programmes aiming to alleviate the suffering of the Somali people and support the development and stability in the country.
He stressed that his country has made great strides in combating terrorism by Al Qaida-linked Al Shabab militant group, saying the Somali people have a long and rich legacy of tolerance and coexistence with others.
The Somali President told the newspaper that his country is part of the Arab Coalition to restore legitimacy in Yemen and praised the role played by the Coalition’s Navy to prevent the flow of weapons and terrorists into Somalia, and called on Iran to cease its continued attempts to interfere in the internal affairs of his country.
He highlighted his country’s stance supporting legitimacy in Yemen represented by Yemeni President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi and his government, saying, “We are part of the Arab coalition to restore legitimacy in Yemen and support it.”
