Somalia, Qatar sign defense pact as Mogadishu pivots from UAE ties
- Agreement 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
- Pact covers military training, exchange of expertise, capability development and broader security cooperation
- Deal follows Somalia’s termination of defense and ports agreements with the United Arab Emirates
- Somali officials say move strengthens federal control over security partnerships as the country battles al-Shabab
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DOHA, Qatar — Somalia and Qatar have signed a defense cooperation agreement intended to deepen military ties and expand security collaboration, officials from both governments said Monday, days after Mogadishu ended its security and ports partnerships with the United Arab Emirates.
The agreement, 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, centers on training Somali forces, exchanging military expertise, developing defense capabilities and coordinating on broader security matters, according to the governments.
Somali officials framed the pact as a reinforcement of a strategic relationship with Qatar and a signal of their long-term commitment to structured, state-to-state defense cooperation. They said the arrangement is designed to strengthen the Somali National Army and contribute to regional security and stability.
The signing underscores a notable recalibration in Somalia’s regional security posture. Earlier this month, the federal government terminated its defense and security agreements with the UAE, alleging violations of Somalia’s sovereignty, unity and political independence amid mounting tensions over security arrangements and broader regional alignments. Somali authorities have insisted that all international security cooperation be conducted through the federal government and within the country’s constitutional framework.
Qatar has emerged as a close political and security partner for Mogadishu in recent years, providing diplomatic backing and support for state-building efforts. Somali officials also say Doha aligned with their stance on territorial integrity, including publicly rejecting any Israeli recognition of North Western State of Somalia.
Monday’s agreement comes as Somalia seeks to professionalize its armed forces while confronting al-Shabab insurgents and navigating shifting regional dynamics. Officials said implementation details and joint programs under the pact would be announced in due course.
The move is part of Somalia’s broader effort to diversify partnerships without diluting central oversight. Officials emphasized that channeling assistance through federal institutions is key to avoiding fragmented command structures and to accelerating reforms in training, logistics, and force readiness.
While no timeline was provided for initial joint activities, Somali authorities pointed to immediate priorities in infantry training, specialized counterterrorism instruction, and the exchange of operational lessons from Qatar’s military experience. Both sides cast the pact as a building block for sustained cooperation, with the potential to expand into equipment support, doctrine development and coordinated maritime security as implementation advances.
Somalia’s pivot also carries diplomatic weight in the Gulf and Horn of Africa, where security alliances often overlap with economic and political ties. For Mogadishu, the agreement with Doha aims to lock in predictable support as the government pursues security sector reform against a persistent insurgency and works to consolidate federal authority.
Officials from Somalia and Qatar did not disclose financial terms or specific training deployments. They said further announcements would detail program phases and mechanisms for oversight and evaluation.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
