In 2018, Qatar and Somalia inked a Memorandum of Understanding to launch a joint supreme committee, marking a pivotal step to enhance collaboration between the two nations.
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Fast-forward to a recent pivotal meeting, almost four months post the Somali Diaspora Conference in July over in Qatar. This gathering was squarely focused on tackling the array of challenges faced by Somalia. The dialogues spanned from education and entrepreneurship to cultural identity, youth empowerment, and fostering economic investments in Somalia.
By 2021, Qatar had cemented its status as a diplomatic powerhouse, playing a crucial role in mending fences between Somalia and Kenya. This reconciliation ensued after tensions arose when Somalia accused Nairobi of meddling in its internal dynamics.
On a larger scale, Qatar is a significant player within the Quintet Group on Somalia, a coalition that includes the United States, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and Türkiye. This group, which assembled for its seventh congregation in Washington not long ago, is dedicated to fortifying peace and stability in Somalia.
In their recent assemble, the Quintet members reiterated unwavering support for “Somalia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and unity.” They also underscored the urgency of counteracting “ongoing and emerging threats from terrorist outfits in the Horn of Africa.” Plans are underway to reconvene in Mogadishu for an eighth meeting, although details remain scarce. An ongoing theme through these gatherings is bolstering Somalia’s battle against the armed faction of Al-Shabab.
Al-Shabab—translated as “The Youth” in Arabic—began as the radical youth faction of the now-defunct Union of Islamic Courts in Somalia. It briefly controlled Mogadishu back in 2006 until Ethiopian forces intervened. This militant group maintains ties with other extremist groups in Africa, such as Boko Haram and Al-Qaeda.
The group’s ambition is to topple Somalia’s central government and replace it with its own draconian interpretation of Islamic law. Finding itself under constant threat, Somalia’s government launched an offensive on Al-Shabab subsequent to a horrific hotel attack in Mogadishu in August 2022, tragically claiming 21 lives—a massacre condemned by Qatar.
The relentless conflict ravaging Somalia has wrought devastating humanitarian repercussions. According to Human Rights Watch (HRW), the violence has resulted in climbing civilian casualties, and at least 650,000 Souls have been displaced, compelled to escape the turmoil gripping their home country.
In essence, the intricate dynamics between Somalia and Qatar, alongside other global players, underscore the universal pursuit of peace, stability, and prosperity in Somalia. The stakes are high, yet the shared commitment toward rebuilding a united and harmonious Somalia remains unwavering.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
