Doha (Dawan Africa) – Qatar is hosting a high-level meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) Contact Group on Somalia, which officially opened on July 27, 2025, in the capital Doha. The two-day gathering aims to renew multilateral backing for Somalia’s reconstruction and national stability, amid ongoing humanitarian and security challenges.
The meeting, organized by Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, brings together senior officials from OIC member states to assess how Islamic nations can better coordinate efforts to assist Somalia’s development, peacebuilding, and emergency response efforts.
According to an official statement, the session is chaired by Mohammed bin Ahmed Al-Hamadani, Deputy Director of the Department of International Organizations at the Qatari foreign ministry. In his opening remarks, Al-Hamadani underscored the importance of collective responsibility and sustainable partnerships.
“It is imperative to work towards inclusive and coordinated solutions through genuine partnerships with Somalia and key stakeholders,” Al-Hamadani told delegates.” he said.
The OIC Contact Group on Somalia was established in 2007 to rally Islamic support for the country’s recovery. The group’s mandate covers political backing, development financing, and humanitarian coordination among member states.
Qatar’s foreign ministry reaffirmed its commitment to playing a significant role in Somalia’s recovery—through funding infrastructure projects, extending consistent humanitarian aid, and backing institutional reforms that strengthen public service delivery.
The meeting takes place as Somalia grapples with overlapping crises. More than 5.9 million Somalis are currently in need of emergency assistance, with the UN warning of worsening food insecurity, displacement, and gaps in essential services across the country.
Though the summit is billed as preparatory to a broader OIC ministerial engagement, observers say it sends a signal about the growing role of Islamic states in addressing protracted crises in the Horn of Africa.
