Somalia and Qatar strengthen relations amid face-off with Ethiopia

The President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, met with the Emir of Qatar, Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, in Doha today to discuss the enhancement of bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries, as well as the situation in the Horn of Africa region.

President Mohamud expressed his gratitude to Emir Al Thani and the Qatari government for their brotherly decision to support the unity and independence of Somalia, and for their clear stance against Ethiopia’s intervention in Somalia’s sovereignty.

The Emir of Qatar reaffirmed his support for the Somali government, unity and independence, and warned of the danger of creating instability in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea that would affect the stability and harmony of the countries and peoples of the region.

President Mohamud has been engaged in diplomatic efforts for the last three weeks to ensure the protection of his country’s sovereignty and to enhance the security of the region, after the Ethiopian government signed an illegal agreement with the Somaliland administration in northern Somalia on January 1st, which grants them access to the Red Sea. This deal was nullified by the Somali federal parliament and deemed as illegal.

These diplomatic efforts have yielded positive results, with the international community standing by Somalia against Ethiopia’s blatant aggression. These include the United Nations, the African Union, IGAD, the Arab League, the US, the UK, the UAE, Qatar, Sudan and others, with Egypt declaring that an attack on Somalia is an attack on Egypt.

SONNA