Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi “Irro” is visiting Qatar on Saturday, leading a senior delegation at the invitation of the Qatari government, officials confirmed.
According to sources within the Somaliland presidency, the visit is part of ongoing diplomatic engagements aimed at exploring areas of cooperation. Meetings with top Qatari officials are expected, though no official agenda has been made public. Topics may include regional developments, economic collaboration, and diplomatic ties.
This visit follows President Irro’s earlier trip to the United Arab Emirates, reflecting a pattern of increasing engagement between Somaliland and Gulf nations. While Qatar has not yet issued a statement, the visit is seen as part of a broader regional dialogue.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and operates with its own government and institutions. It has maintained relative stability in the region, though it remains unrecognized as a sovereign state by the international community.
In recent years, Gulf countries have shown interest in engaging with various actors in the Horn of Africa, including Somaliland. Analysts note that these interactions are often shaped by economic, political, and strategic considerations.
President Irro’s visit to Qatar marks one of his highest-level diplomatic missions since taking office and comes amid continued outreach to strengthen Somaliland’s international relations.