Qatar–Somalia relations
Qatar–Somalia relations are the bilateral relations between Qatar and Somalia. The two countries formally established relations in 1970 and are both members of the Arab League and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
Overview
The two countries formally established diplomatic ties in 1970. Qatar supported and welcomed the outcome of the Somali National Reconciliation Conference held in Djibouti in September 2000. Furthermore, it supported reconciliation conferences held in both Khartoum and Djibouti to end the political and security crises affecting Somalia.Development cooperation
In March 2015, Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke led talks with the Prime Minister of Qatar, Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani. The gathering focused on strengthening investment, commerce, and governance ties between both territories, with an emphasis on stabilization initiatives. It concluded with a signed cooperative agreement in the civil aviation and education sectors. According to Sharmarke, the treaty aims to accelerate the ongoing reconstruction and development process in Somalia and to buttress local job creation. Among the agreement's stipulations, Qatar Airways is scheduled to launch direct flights to the Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu.In August 2019, Qatar launched a project to build a new port in Hobyo, a central town in Somalia. Qatar stated that the project would benefit the people of Somalia. The Ministry of Ports (Somalia) said “the launching of the project to build the port of Hobyo will create job opportunities for the Somali citizens and contribute to the economy of the country.”