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Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud arrived in Doha on Sunday to take part in the Emergency Arab-Islamic Summit, which is being held over two days. The summit, bringing together leaders from across the Arab and Islamic world, was called to respond to the growing crisis sparked by the recent attack on Qatar and its wider implications for regional stability.
President Mohamud and his delegation landed at Hamad International Airport, where they were welcomed by Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs, Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al-Thani. Somalia’s Ambassador to Qatar, Mohamed Ahmed Sheikh Ali, was also present to receive the president and his team.
Ahead of the summit, Somalia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Abdisalam Abdi Ali, attended a preparatory ministerial session on Sunday morning. That meeting brought together foreign ministers and officials from Arab and Islamic nations to discuss the urgent situation. The discussions centered on the attack against Qatar on September 9 and the broader consequences it poses for peace, security, and cooperation in the region. The ministers also worked on a draft resolution that is expected to be finalized and adopted during Monday’s session of the summit.
The summit itself is designed to showcase a unified Arab and Islamic response to the attack, highlighting solidarity and collective action in the face of challenges that threaten both security and stability. Leaders attending the gathering are expected to release a strong joint statement condemning the aggression and setting out a common position on how to prevent further escalations. The summit is also seen as an important moment for Arab and Islamic countries to reaffirm their shared commitment to mutual defense and cooperation at a time when tensions are rising.
For Somalia, President Mohamud’s participation is not just about showing support for Qatar and the broader Arab-Islamic community. It also represents an opportunity to strengthen Somalia’s diplomatic presence on the global stage. The president is expected to hold several bilateral meetings with other heads of state and senior officials who are in Doha for the summit. These talks will focus on Somalia’s own priorities, particularly its security challenges, economic development goals, and the need for stronger partnerships with countries across the region.
Somalia continues to face internal and external threats, including the ongoing fight against Al-Shabaab militants and the broader task of rebuilding institutions that can deliver peace and prosperity to its citizens. By engaging directly with regional leaders, President Mohamud hopes to secure stronger support for Somalia’s national security strategy, as well as investments and partnerships that can drive development. His presence at such a high-level gathering underscores Somalia’s determination to be part of collective efforts to address regional issues while also advocating for its own national interests.
The Emergency Arab-Islamic Summit in Doha is expected to conclude with a resolution that reflects the shared concerns of participating countries about the recent attack on Qatar. Beyond immediate condemnations, the resolution is likely to call for unity, restraint, and cooperation in dealing with similar threats in the future. For President Mohamud and Somalia, the summit offers both a platform for solidarity and an opportunity to build stronger ties that can contribute to stability and growth back home.