President Farmajo & delegation fly to Qatar

Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo has left for an unannounced foreign trip to Doha, Qatar.

The President is accompanied by First Lady Zeinab Abdi Moalim, Ministers of the Federal Government of Somalia including Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Abdisaid Muse Ali, Minister of Youth and Sports Hamsa Said Hamsa and Somali Football Federation President Abdiqani Said Arab. 

According to the presidency, the trip will take two days.

A statement from the presidency said, “The President, at the invitation of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, will discuss strengthening bilateral relations and economic cooperation, sports development and investment cooperation.”

The President and his delegation were warmly welcomed by senior officials including Minister of State Hamad Al-Kawari and Somali Ambassador to Qatar Abdirizak Farah Ali Taano.

“As part of the President’s visit, the Arab League will open with an invitation to Arab leaders to strengthen cooperation in the development of sports and youth integration in the Arab world, with the President holding talks with participating leaders at the event, ”said Abdirashid Mohamed Hashi, Director of Information at the Presidential Palace.

Farmajo’s visit to Qatar comes at a time of heightened political tensions in the country over alleged parliamentary looting.