During the ministerial meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Contact Group on Somalia held in Doha, Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, HE Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi, reaffirmed Qatar’s steadfast support for Somalia in its pursuit of peace, stability, and development. The meeting, hosted in the Qatari capital, aimed to mobilize international backing for Somalia’s efforts to strengthen security and state institutions.
Al Muraikhi emphasized that Somalia is currently confronting multifaceted challenges that threaten its sovereignty, security, and economic progress. These circumstances, he noted, place a dual responsibility on the international community to align its efforts within a cohesive and strategic framework, firmly grounded in respect for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He called for a unified approach to national reconciliation, inclusive governance, and institutional capacity-building. Emphasizing inclusive dialogue, he stressed the importance of engaging all Somali stakeholders—including the federal government, regional member states, civil society, women, and youth—to foster legitimacy and consensus-driven reforms.
Political reforms, Al Muraikhi noted, are central to Somalia’s path toward stability. He advocated for transparent electoral processes, constitutional amendments, and the development of accountable institutions. He also highlighted the importance of complementing, not supplanting, Somali-led initiatives and praised the coordinated efforts of the Quintet on Somalia—Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Türkiye, and the U.S.—for enhancing regional cooperation.
Addressing the ongoing security and humanitarian crises, Al Muraikhi stressed the urgent need to bolster Somalia’s capacity to combat terrorism, manage internal tensions, and respond to humanitarian emergencies caused by drought, displacement, and food insecurity. He advocated for sustainable international responses that link emergency aid with long-term development strategies.
Reiterating Qatar’s commitment, he affirmed the country will continue delivering humanitarian and development assistance both bilaterally and through partnerships with UN agencies and international organizations. He concluded by calling for better coordination among international donors to ensure aid aligns with Somalia’s national priorities and yields maximum impact.