MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, speaking on Monday at the Arab-Islamic Summit, criticized Israel’s military actions in Gaza and across the region, warning that continued silence and inaction from the international community undermines global legal norms and risks serious consequences.
At the emergency Arab-Islamic Summit held in Doha, Qatar – jointly convened by the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) – Mohamud expressed solidarity with Qatar following a recent Israeli attack on the Gulf state that reportedly left six people dead, including a Qatari security guard.
“Silence and inaction toward Israel’s violations undermine international law and will have serious consequences. We support an immediate Gaza ceasefire and stand with our brothers in Qatar,” Mohamud said.
The Somali leader accused Israel of carrying out disproportionate attacks across the Middle East, stating such actions would only inflict long-term harm on the region.
Mohamud arrived in Qatar on Sunday and met with the Emir of Qatar on the sidelines of the summit, where the two leaders discussed bilateral ties and regional security.
“During the meeting, President Hassan Sheikh reaffirmed Somalia’s steadfast solidarity with the people and the Government of Qatar in safeguarding its sovereignty and national security,” the Somali presidency said in a statement.
He also held talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, as Ankara expands its military, economic, and development footprint in Somalia. Turkey is expected to establish a spaceport and to begin offshore oil extraction following nearly a year of seismic studies. Results of those studies have not yet been publicly released.
“The two leaders discussed global and regional issues of mutual interest,” Villa Somalia said in a separate statement on X, formerly Twitter.
Somalia was among the first OIC and Arab League member states to condemn the Israeli strike in Doha, denouncing it as a violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Mogadishu has also consistently called for a ceasefire in Gaza, despite being a close Western ally.
In late 2023, Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre publicly voiced support for Hamas, in contrast to the positions of both the United States and Israel, which classify the group as a terrorist organization.
At the time, Barre said he views Hamas not as terrorists but as “freedom fighters.”
Contact us: info@somaliguardian.com
