Qatar Emir Reaffirms Somalia Support in Call With President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud

Qatar’s emir backs Somalia’s security, territorial integrity in call with President Mohamud

MOGADISHU — Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Monday reaffirmed Doha’s support for Somalia’s security and territorial integrity during a phone call with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, according to Somali and Qatari officials.

Officials said the leaders reviewed recent developments and discussed efforts to strengthen security, stabilize the country and preserve the unity of Somali territory. Sheikh Tamim conveyed Qatar’s full backing for Somalia’s legitimate state institutions and its commitment to support security and stability while safeguarding the interests of the Somali people.

• Why it matters: The call underscores a tightening of Somali-Qatari ties amid shifting regional alignments and a heightened focus on Somalia’s state institutions and territorial unity.
• What’s new: It follows a defense cooperation agreement signed last month aimed at deepening military ties and security collaboration between Doha and Mogadishu.
• Context: The accord came shortly after Somalia formally ended its security and port partnerships with the United Arab Emirates.

President Mohamud expressed appreciation for Qatar’s continued political and development support, saying Doha’s assistance contributes to strengthening stability and advancing Somalia’s development agenda, the officials said. The two leaders also discussed prospects for expanding bilateral cooperation beyond security, including development programming and institutional support.

The defense cooperation agreement signed last month is intended to formalize military coordination and bolster capacity in areas such as training, equipment support and counterterrorism cooperation, according to officials familiar with the accord. While details have not been made public, both governments have cast the deal as a platform for longer-term security sector collaboration.

Somalia’s decision to end security and port partnerships with the United Arab Emirates signaled a recalibration of external relationships as Mogadishu pursues closer alignment with partners it views as supportive of its sovereignty priorities. The government has emphasized that future security and infrastructure partnerships should reinforce federal institutions and reflect national development plans.

Qatar has been a consistent backer of Somalia’s reconstruction efforts, providing financial assistance and support to infrastructure and security sectors. Over the past decade, Doha has funded roads and social services and worked alongside Somali authorities on capacity building in government agencies. Officials in both capitals say the relationship is increasingly structured around institutional strengthening and results-based programming.

Monday’s call also highlighted ongoing security imperatives. Somali authorities continue to target militant networks while seeking to stabilize recently recovered areas and extend governance and basic services. International support, including training, equipment and budget assistance, remains central to sustaining gains and integrating local forces into national command structures.

Diplomats said the latest engagement between Sheikh Tamim and President Mohamud is likely to be followed by technical consultations to implement elements of the defense pact and to map new avenues of cooperation in development and economic recovery. Both sides have framed the renewed focus as part of a broader effort to consolidate stability, reinforce the rule of law and protect Somalia’s territorial integrity.

Neither side disclosed additional details of the call. Officials characterized the conversation as constructive and aligned with shared priorities: backing Somalia’s institutions, accelerating security reforms and advancing projects designed to deliver tangible benefits to Somali communities.

By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.