Somalia and Qatar Sign Defense Agreement to Strengthen Military Cooperation

Written by Abdiasis Farah Said, Mogadishu

Doha, January 19, 2026 — Somalia and Qatar on Sunday signed a defense cooperation agreement aimed at enhancing military and security collaboration between the two countries, Somali and Qatari officials said.The agreement was signed in Doha by Somalia’s Minister of Defense Ahmed Moalim Fiqi and Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs, Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al Thani.According to officials, the deal focuses on expanding military training, exchanging expertise, strengthening defense capabilities, and deepening overall military cooperation. The two sides said the agreement is intended to support efforts to enhance regional security and stability in the Horn of Africa and the wider Middle East.“The agreement reflects the strong bilateral relations between Somalia and Qatar and their shared commitment to security cooperation,” officials said following the signing ceremony.The defense pact comes at a time of shifting regional alliances for Somalia. In recent days, the Somali government withdrew from all existing agreements with the United Arab Emirates, expelled Emirati diplomats, and banned UAE military aircraft from Somali airspace.Somali authorities have accused the UAE of supporting efforts by Somaliland — a self-declared region that Somalia considers part of its sovereign territory — to gain international recognition, including from Israel. The allegations have fueled diplomatic tensions and prompted Mogadishu to reassess its security partnerships.Against this backdrop, Somali officials appear to be strengthening ties with regional partners including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Sudan, and Egypt, as part of a broader effort to counter what the government describes as external interference and attempts to undermine Somalia’s territorial integrity.The Somali government has repeatedly said it remains committed to safeguarding the country’s unity and pursuing security cooperation with partners it views as supportive of Somalia’s sovereignty and long-term stability.