Tuesday January 20, 2026
DOHA, Qatar — Somalia and Qatar on Monday signed a defense cooperation agreement aimed at deepening military ties and expanding security collaboration, days after Mogadishu formally ended its security and ports partnerships with the United Arab Emirates.
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Officials from both governments said the pact focuses on military training, exchange of expertise, development of defense capabilities and broader security cooperation. They said the agreement is intended to strengthen Somalia’s armed forces and contribute to regional stability at a time of shifting alliances across the Horn of Africa and the Gulf.
The agreement was signed in Doha by Somali Defense Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi and Qatar’s deputy prime minister and minister of state for defense affairs, Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al Thani.
Somali officials described the accord as a reinforcement of a growing strategic relationship with Qatar, adding that it reflects a shared commitment to long-term defense cooperation conducted within Somalia’s constitutional framework and through the federal government.
The signing marks a notable recalibration of Somalia’s regional security posture. Earlier this month, the federal government terminated its defense and security agreements with the UAE, citing alleged violations of Somalia’s sovereignty, unity and political independence. The decision followed mounting tensions over security arrangements and broader regional alignments, and it included the end of UAE-linked port cooperation, according to Somali authorities.
Qatar has emerged as a close political and security ally of Somalia in recent years, providing diplomatic backing and support for state-building initiatives. Somali officials say the new defense agreement is part of an effort to diversify partnerships while anchoring security cooperation in institutions overseen by Mogadishu.
The timing underscores the pressures facing Somalia’s security sector. The country continues to battle al-Shabab insurgents and is working to professionalize its armed forces across command, training and logistics. Officials involved in the talks said the agreement is designed to channel training and expertise into Somalia’s national structures to improve operational readiness and coordination with regional partners.
The two governments did not immediately release a detailed implementation roadmap. Officials said further specifics on training programs, exchanges and other joint activities would be announced in due course.
The Doha accord also signals broader regional dynamics as countries across the Horn of Africa and the Gulf adjust to changing security priorities. For Somalia, the pivot toward Qatar is as much about consolidating federal control over external security engagements as it is about accessing training and capability development that can be sustained over time.
Somali authorities have stressed that any new cooperation will be channeled through the federal government to avoid overlapping mandates and to keep security assistance aligned with national laws and institutions. That emphasis reflects lessons from past arrangements that Somali officials say at times cut across federal oversight.
While the agreement’s immediate impact will depend on execution, the political message is clear: Mogadishu is seeking partners it believes will back its sovereignty, respect its constitutional order and help build durable, professional security forces. For Doha, the pact extends a role it has cultivated in Somalia’s diplomacy and state-building, adding a formal defense cooperation layer to the relationship.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
