Somalia: Somalia, Qatar Discuss Security and Defence Cooperation

What the report says

Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre met in Doha with Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al Thani, to discuss expanding security and defence cooperation, according to Shabelle via AllAfrica. The talks took place during Barre’s official visit and were framed around regional and international stability.

The report says the two sides discussed joint efforts against cross-border terrorism, which Somalia considers a major security threat. Barre also updated the Qatari minister on recent security gains in Somalia’s larger cities and on military operations against Al-Shabaab, which the Somali government refers to as the Khawarij.

Sheikh Saud later visited the residence where Barre is staying and reiterated Qatar’s support for Somalia, including a willingness to broaden cooperation in several fields. Barre thanked Qatar for its reception and said relations between the two countries were growing stronger. He also welcomed Qatar’s backing for Somalia’s sovereignty during periods Mogadishu describes as facing external interference.

The meeting underscores Qatar’s continued diplomatic and security engagement with Somalia, a relationship that matters because Mogadishu is seeking outside support as it battles militant threats and tries to stabilize the country. As a general matter, Gulf states have often played a role in Somali diplomacy and development, though the specific details in this report are limited to the Doha discussions.