The UAE has termed last Sunday seizure by Somali authorities of a civilian plane carrying millions of dollars as illegal and a breach to diplomacy.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation UAE says the $9.6M seized at the Aden Abdulle International Airport to pay Somalia National Soldiers and trainees.
UAE condemned alleged harrassment and assault by Somali security forces claiming the crew and officials were held at gunpoint.
“This action is an illegal step that contradicts the established diplomatic norms and traditions between countries and is a serious breach of the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two countries in November 2014,” the statement partly said.
“UAE deplores this violation of international law and norms, at a time when the UAE has provided all kinds of political, economic, military and humanitarian support in the darkest conditions to establish security and stability in the Somali Federal Republic.” statement said.
Somalia has rejected UAE condemnation and says it did not breach diplomatic protocol citing the bags were by seizing were unmarked and UAE diplomats had failed to declare contents.
A Foreign Affairs official told Radio Dalsan that UAE Ambassador had refused the the three bags carrying cash money to go through security procedures.