Somalia Deepens Defence Ties with Qatar, Rejects Palestinian Relocation Plan
Somalia is deepening its defence partnership with Qatar while rejecting any plan to relocate Palestinians to the country, Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre said.
DOHA, Qatar (Somali Report) — Somalia and Qatar are strengthening security and defence cooperation, Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre said, describing a new defence agreement as a key step towards building stronger and more professional Somali security institutions.
In an interview with Qatar's Al Sharq newspaper, Hamza said relations between the two countries had entered a new phase centred on strategic cooperation spanning politics, the economy, investment, security and defence.
He said Somalia sought a long-term partnership with Qatar and other Gulf countries that would go beyond crisis management and focus on investment in infrastructure, energy, ports, food security and broader economic development.
The prime minister stressed that Somalia's sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity were non-negotiable, saying the federal government opposed any move that could undermine the country's territorial unity.
On Somaliland, which has sought independence from Somalia since declaring itself separate in 1991, Hamza said Mogadishu remained committed to resolving internal disputes through dialogue among Somali parties.
He warned against foreign interference and attempts to impose a new political reality on Somalia, without naming specific countries.
Hamza also reiterated Somalia's opposition to any proposal to relocate Palestinians to the country.
“Somalia will not become another country where Palestinians are settled,” he said, according to the interview, adding that Mogadishu would not participate in any plan aimed at displacing Palestinians or undermining their cause.
He said Palestinians had the right to live in their homeland “with freedom and dignity”.
Red Sea security
The prime minister also voiced concern over tensions in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, saying instability could affect shipping and international trade.
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Somalia supports efforts to de-escalate regional tensions through dialogue and diplomatic solutions, he said, stressing that maritime security was particularly important for Somalia because of its strategic coastline along one of the world's most important shipping routes.
Hamza praised Qatar's role in efforts to reduce regional tensions and promote diplomatic solutions.
Fight against Al-Shabaab
On the fight against Al-Shabaab, Hamza said the Somali government had, over the past four years, reclaimed large areas from the militant group and destroyed bases and strongholds used by its fighters.
But he stressed that the campaign was not limited to military operations.
The government was also targeting the group's financial networks, combating extremist ideology and restoring government administration and public services in areas recovered from Al-Shabaab, he said.
Somalia has been fighting Al-Shabaab, an Al-Qaeda-linked militant group, for more than a decade. The group remains capable of carrying out deadly attacks despite repeated military operations against its territorial presence.
Hamza said the government was also offering amnesty to Al-Shabaab members who lay down their weapons, renounce extremist ideology and return to civilian life.
The prime minister said Somalia's ultimate goal was to build a country capable of defending itself, protecting its sovereignty and contributing to security and stability in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea.
His comments come as Mogadishu seeks deeper partnerships with regional and international allies while working to strengthen its own security forces and gradually assume greater responsibility for national security.
About the Author
Ahmed Omar is a senior journalist for Somali Report, based in Mogadishu. He has two decades of experience reporting on Somalia for international and local media. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments and regional affairs.