By Shire Abdi - Reporter
Somalia, July 14 2026 – Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is expected to travel to Doha on Tuesday to pay respects after the death of former Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Somalia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
The ministry said Mohamud will personally convey condolences on behalf of the Somali government and people to Qatar's royal family, government and citizens.
Ahead of the president's visit, Somalia sent a government delegation to attend the Janazah prayer for the late emir. The delegation was led by Education Minister Farah Sheikh Abdulkader and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Ali Mohamed Omar, alongside diplomats from Somalia's embassy in Doha.
The ministry said the delegation joined members of the diplomatic corps and other dignitaries in paying their respects and expressing condolences to the Qatari leadership and people.
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Somalia has also declared three days of national mourning and ordered national flags to fly at half-mast at government institutions and Somali diplomatic missions abroad in honour of the former ruler.
Sheikh Hamad, who ruled Qatar from 1995 to 2013, died on Sunday at the age of 74. During his reign, Qatar became one of the world's leading exporters of liquefied natural gas and expanded its diplomatic and international influence.
The Foreign Ministry said Somalia's participation in the funeral and the president's planned visit reflect the close diplomatic ties and longstanding relations between Somalia and Qatar.
Qatar has been one of Somalia's key partners in recent years, supporting development, humanitarian assistance and infrastructure projects across the country.