The government of United Arab Emirates (UAE) has temporarily suspected the operations of UAE-run hospital in Mogadishu a day after Somali government started talks with UAE.
In statement posted on Eynul-Akhbar Dubai based, government of Gulf nation said the operations of Sheikh-Zaid Hospital have been suspended till further notice.
Sheikh-Zaid hospital been offering services to Mogadishu residents since 2010.
The government of Arabian Peninsula nation had earlier issued statement canceling its mission in Somalia in protest of the seizure of 9.6 million USD at Mogadishu Airport last week.
On Sunday, UAE’s news agency reported that the Gulf nation had ended military training and payment of salaries of Somali forces.
“UAE has decided to disband its military training programme in Somalia which started in 2014 to build the capabilities of Somali Army. The decision comes in response to Somali forces’ seizure of a UAE-registered civil aircraft at Mogadishu Airport and confiscation of destined to pay the soldiers,” reported WAM Agency.
Somali government through its ministry of Foreign Affairs hinted the agreement to release the 9.6 million USD saying it received satisfactory response from the government regarding the amount seized.
“After lengthy deliberations between the two governments on the recent incident involving funds that were intercepted at Adan Adde International Airport on 8th April, UAE has explained the purpose and the utilization of the said funds” reads statement by Somali Foreign Ministry, adding, “the federal government will work together with UAE on their utilization.”
The government also confirmed talks between leaders of the countries to de-escalate the tensions.
