PM Abiy Ahmed Extends Condolences to Qatar Over Passing of Former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani

Addis Ababa, July 12, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has extended condolences to the government and people of Qatar following the passing of the country’s former Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

In a condolence message shared on his social media pages, Prime Minister Abiy expressed his deepest sympathies to Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the government, and the people of Qatar on the death of the Father Emir.

The Prime Minister described Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani as one of Qatar and Africa’s wise leaders, saying he dedicated his efforts to promoting peace, advancing dialogue and negotiation, and contributing to conflict resolution, particularly in the Horn of Africa.

Prime Minister Abiy said the Ethiopian people hold fond memories of the late Emir, who, he noted, paid special attention to Ethiopia and recognized the importance of building a strategic partnership between the two countries.

He recalled Sheikh Hamad’s emphasis on the historical ties between Ethiopia and Qatar, noting that relations between the two peoples are rooted in the early history of Islam and the first migration to Abyssinia.

The Prime Minister highlighted the former Emir’s official visit to Ethiopia in April 2013 as a significant milestone in bilateral relations, saying the visit helped lay the foundation for a stronger partnership between the two countries and resulted in cooperation initiatives that opened new avenues for collaboration between Qatar and Ethiopia, as well as Qatar and African countries.

He also noted that the April 2017 visit of Qatar’s current Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, to Ethiopia continued the path established by the Father Emir and contributed to strengthening bilateral cooperation and partnership.

Prime Minister Abiy said the passing of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani is a great loss, but expressed confidence that the historical and fraternal relations established between Ethiopia and Qatar will continue to grow under the leadership of Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

He conveyed prayers for the late Emir’s eternal peace and wished patience and solace to his family and the people of Qatar.