Monday June 30, 2025
Hargeisa (HOL) — Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed
Abdillahi Irro met with Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani in Doha to discuss expanding
cooperation in trade, energy, education, and regional stability, according to a
statement released Monday by the Somaliland Presidency.
The meeting marked a rare diplomatic engagement between the
two sides and focused on fostering economic development and strengthening ties
in key sectors, including infrastructure and investment.
"The meeting discussed the development of cooperation
and strengthening of relations between the Republic of Somaliland and the
Government of Qatar," the Somaliland Presidency said in its statement.
The two leaders also exchanged views on regional peace and
security, with President Irro highlighting Somaliland’s role in promoting
stability in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea corridor.
Despite the diplomatic overture, Qatar’s close alliance with
Somalia’s federal government— which opposes Somaliland’s claim to independence—
may present obstacles to formalizing direct diplomatic ties with Hargeisa.