Mogadishu, Somalia — The State Minister of Defense, Omar Ali Abdi, met on Wednesday with Qatar’s Deputy Ambassador to Somalia, Mohamed Awad Al-Shammari, in Mogadishu to explore new ways of strengthening bilateral defense and security cooperation between the two nations.
The discussions focused on enhancing military collaboration, building institutional capacity within the Somali National Armed Forces (SNA), and supporting the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) as it transitions into a more Somali-led framework.
The meeting underscored the shared vision between Somalia and Qatar in promoting stability and resilience across the Horn of Africa. Both officials highlighted the significance of deepening military partnerships to ensure lasting peace, particularly as Somalia continues its fight against extremist groups threatening national and regional security.
Qatar has been a consistent partner in Somalia’s recovery journey, contributing to infrastructure development, humanitarian assistance, and security sector reform. The latest engagement signals a renewed momentum in defense cooperation, with both governments aligning their priorities around training, logistical support, and institutional strengthening for Somali forces.
The State Minister acknowledged the progress made by the SNA in ongoing operations against terror groups and reaffirmed his government’s determination to sustain these gains through enhanced collaboration with key allies like Qatar.
As Somalia continues to consolidate its security gains and rebuild its national institutions, partnerships such as this remain pivotal to ensuring stability and paving the way for long-term peace and self-reliance.