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Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre arrived in Cairo, Egypt, on Monday night to participate in an emergency Arab League summit focused on the escalating crisis in Gaza. The high-level meeting, scheduled for March 4, aims to coordinate a unified Arab response to recent developments, including U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial “Gaza Riviera” plan and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s military actions.
The summit, hosted by Egypt, seeks to explore diplomatic strategies that protect Palestinian rights and address the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Gaza. Tensions have intensified as ceasefire negotiations falter, with Israel blocking humanitarian aid and rejecting proposals that would require withdrawing troops from the region.
Ahead of the Cairo summit, Arab leaders held preparatory discussions in Riyadh on February 21, with representatives from Egypt, Jordan, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations working to establish a clear agenda. These diplomatic talks aimed to align efforts against the escalating crisis and ensure a strategic response to U.S. and Israeli policies affecting Gaza.
Somalia has consistently voiced its support for the Palestinian cause on international platforms. At the United Nations Security Council’s 9841st meeting, Somalia reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for Palestinian rights and condemning the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza. The Somali government has called for an immediate end to hostilities and the facilitation of humanitarian aid to civilians caught in the conflict.
Government spokesman Farhan Mohamed Jimale confirmed that Prime Minister Barre will hold sideline meetings with other Arab League leaders. These discussions will extend beyond the Gaza crisis, focusing on Somalia’s national security and development priorities, including efforts to rebuild the Somali National Army (SNA) and strengthen international support for Somalia’s economic and infrastructure projects.
The crisis in Gaza took a new turn on Sunday, the second day of Ramadan, when Israel blocked the entry of all humanitarian aid, citing Hamas’s alleged failure to comply with a last-minute U.S. proposal to extend the first phase of the ceasefire. The second phase of the truce, initially set to begin on March 1, was expected to include an Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza. However, Israel rejected this provision, leading to a renewed blockade and worsening conditions for civilians.
The Arab League summit in Cairo is expected to result in a coordinated strategy that addresses these urgent concerns. With mounting international pressure to end the violence, Arab nations are seeking diplomatic solutions that counter unilateral actions by the United States and Israel. The outcome of these talks could shape future peace efforts and determine the region’s collective response to the crisis.
Prime Minister Barre’s participation underscores Somalia’s growing diplomatic engagement within the Arab world. As Somalia strengthens its regional alliances, it continues to advocate for policies that align with broader Arab and African interests, particularly on humanitarian and security matters.
With the summit underway, global attention remains fixed on the decisions that emerge from Cairo. The ability of Arab leaders to forge a united front could influence the next phase of the crisis and determine the viability of diplomatic solutions aimed at protecting Palestinian lives and securing long-term stability in the region.