What Qatar said after meeting Somaliland’s Leader Abdirahman Irro

The government of Qatar reinforced its strong support for a united Somalia following the visit by Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi alias Irro, the president of Somaliland, who is on shuttle diplomatic missions.

As Somalia celebrates its 65th birthday today, Qatar's message emphasizes the need for a more stable Somalia, even in the middle of divisions, partly fueled by political intrigues and the quest for Somaliland’s statehood, which Irro is fighting for.

In Qatar, Irro met Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, with whom they discussed the welfare of the two parties, ranging from security, development, and peace within the Horn of Africa.

“During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on the latest developments in Somalia and discussed the importance of supporting efforts aimed at achieving security and stability there, as well as ways to enhance communication and build trust between the various parties,” the Qatari Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

But what stood out is Qatar’s commitment towards the sovereignty of Somalia, which has lately been defending its territorial integrity and sovereignty amid attacks from Ethiopia, which had been in active talks with Somaliland.

“HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs affirmed the State of Qatar’s belief that Somalia’s future is built through openness and constructive communication among all its components, to ensure respect for the sovereignty and national unity of the Federal Republic of Somalia.”

Ethiopia had signed an agreement for access to 20 kilometres of the Red Sea inside Somalia for the construction of a military outpost and port in exchange for recognition of Somaliland as a sovereign state, a matter that severed the relationship between Mogadishu and Addis Ababa.

However, the matter has partly been solved after the government of Turkey swiftly intervened, bringing the two countries to the negotiation table. Ethiopia, nonetheless, is yet to give up on the idea of accessing the Red Sea to solve its economic challenges.

GAROWE ONLINE