Somalia Boosts Diplomatic Ties with Qatar, Egypt, and Türkiye at Doha Forum

DOHA, Qatar — Somali PresidentHassan Sheikh Mohamudused the Doha Forum to argue Somalia is moving from crisis response to an assertive phase of state-building, urging partners to align aid and security programs with the country’s plans as Qatar, Egypt and Türkiye signaled fresh commitments.

Chairing a roundtable titled “State-Building in Somalia: Coordinated Strategies to Sustain Progress,” Mohamud said Somali institutions are increasingly capable of setting and executing priorities — from national security and governance reforms to preparations for direct elections — but warned gains remain fragile without tighter coordination.

He urged donors and allies to avoid fragmented initiatives and channel support into national strategies that knit stabilization together with climate adaptation, institutional reform and regional diplomacy. The president also underscored Somalia’s election to the U.N. Security Council as a non-permanent member, saying the country will carry a perspective shaped by conflict recovery and cooperation in the Horn of Africa.

Climate risks featured prominently. Mohamud said droughts and floods continue to displace families, disrupt schooling and strain public finances, and called for targeted adaptation alongside security assistance so climate shocks do not erode hard-won stability.

Key developments at the forum and on its sidelines:

• Egypt framed Somalia as central to Arab and African security, backed the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) and warned funding gaps could undercut the mission as Somali forces take on more responsibility.
• Türkiye pledged continued security training and capacity building, discussed expanding maritime and port cooperation, and explored new investments in energy, construction and transport.
• Qatar and Somalia convened their first Joint Supreme Committee, agreeing on a customs cooperation pact and signing memorandums of understanding on culture, youth and agriculture.

Egypt ties security to Somalia’s stability

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, speaking at a separate panel on state-building in Somalia, called Somalia a pillar of Egyptian, Arab and African security and warned that attempts to turn the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea into arenas for regional competition threaten Somalia’s unity and wider stability.

Abdelatty emphasized AUSSOM as the primary mechanism to uphold stability through the transition and said Cairo’s participation reflects its strategic commitment. He cautioned that continued funding shortfalls risk weakening the mission’s handover to Somali forces and urged international partners to ensure sustained financing.

Outlining policy toward Mogadishu, Abdelatty said Egypt supports Somalia’s unity and sovereignty and opposes unilateral steps aimed at imposing new facts on the ground. He highlighted training and capacity-building delivered through the Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development, Al-Azhar, Egyptian universities and the Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding.

In bilateral talks in Doha, Abdelatty and Mohamud discussed expanding cooperation under their strategic partnership, including support for civil and security institutions as well as scholarships and training for Somali officials.

Türkiye deepens security and economic partnership

Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met Mohamud on the forum’s sidelines for a high-level review of security and economic ties, according to diplomatic sources. The talks focused on strengthening cooperation across defense training, humanitarian assistance and development, with both sides reaffirming a long-term strategic partnership.

Officials familiar with the meeting said Türkiye will continue supporting Somalia’s fight against terrorism and efforts to stabilize the country. The two leaders discussed expanding cooperation in maritime security and port management and considered new investment opportunities for Turkish companies in energy, construction and transportation. Technical delegations are expected to meet in the coming weeks to accelerate existing defense and economic agreements, including projects on ports, roads and public services in key Somali cities.

Qatar and Somalia sign broad cooperation deals

Qatar and Somalia convened the inaugural session of their Joint Supreme Committee, co-chaired by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi and Somali Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali. The delegations reviewed ties and agreed to fast-track joint initiatives across priority sectors.

The talks produced an agreement on mutual administrative assistance in customs aimed at improving application of customs law and cooperation against violations. Officials said the pact is designed to reinforce border security, prevent smuggling, improve tax assessments and align procedures with regional and international standards.

Somalia and Qatar also signed memorandums of understanding on culture, youth and agriculture. Cultural cooperation will expand collaboration among libraries, archives and cultural institutions and support joint festivals and book fair participation. The youth agreement focuses on exchanges, leadership training and joint programs, while the agriculture and food security memorandum targets improved crop production and resilience through shared research, technical expertise and modern farming technology.

Coordinated support for a shifting Somalia

The engagements in Doha underscored a dual message: Mogadishu is projecting a clearer national strategy and partners increasingly see their own security and economic interests tied to Somalia’s trajectory. Mohamud did not claim success is assured. But by pressing for aligned programs, stronger state capacity and climate adaptation alongside security reforms, he cast Somalia as a state intent on protecting hard-earned gains — and urged backers to avoid fragmentation, hesitation or competing agendas.

By Ali Musa

Axadle Times international–Monitoring.