Somalia Flies Flag at Half-Mast in Mourning for Qatar’s Former Emir

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: The Somali government has lowered the national flag to half-mast as a mark of mourning following the death of Qatar’s Father Amir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, in a gesture underscoring the close ties between the two countries.

The decision reflects Somalia’s condolences to the government and people of Qatar as they observe an official mourning period for the late Father Amir, who ruled the Gulf state from 1995 to 2013 before handing power to his son, the current Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

Flying the national flag at half-mast is a diplomatic tradition used by governments around the world to express grief and solidarity following the death of a head of state or other prominent national figure.

Qatar has declared four days of national mourning, with flags flown at half-mast across the country and public sector operations suspended during the mourning period.

Somalia and Qatar maintain close diplomatic relations, with Doha serving as one of Mogadishu’s key partners in development, humanitarian assistance and infrastructure projects. Qatar has also supported Somalia through investments and aid initiatives aimed at strengthening state institutions and promoting economic recovery.