QATAR’S diplomatic relationship with Africa and subSaharan Africa in particular has been existent for decades. Though these countries’ embassies were mainly opened in Doha from the early 2000s, there has been a remarkable increase from 2010.
Developing relations between two countries necessarily involves better bilateral understanding, promoted by opening a direct and rapid diplomatic channel. Over 20 African countries have an embassy in Doha; 14 of those are from sub-Saharan Africa. South Africa opened its embassy in Doha in October 2003, though diplomatic relations were established after the apartheid period.
Although Qatar’s relations with African countries go back decades, starting from 2010, Qatar accelerated the process of consolidating its ties with these countries by opening more than 15 new embassies and missions in many sub-Saharan African states. In December 2017, Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani undertook a tour of West Africa, his first trip to the region. The visits, including Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, proved Qatar’s interest in maintaining positive relations with countries worldwide.
In 2019, H H the Amir also visited Rwanda and made his first visit to Nigeria. Qatar’s foreign policy is based on a set of principles outlined in its Constitution, including strengthening international peace and security by encouraging the peaceful resolution of international disputes and building alliances, and finding solutions to conflicts through dialogue and mediation while respecting sovereign nations’ rights. The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo H E Felix Tshisekedi’s visit to Qatar further highlights Qatar’s diplomatic resolve. Qatar and Congo signed an agreement to establish diplomatic relations in New York in November 2019.
The Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations, H E Ambassador Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani, signed on behalf of Qatar, while Permanent Representative of Congo to the United Nations, Ambassador Ignace Gata Mavita wa Lufuta, signed on behalf of D R Congo. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is the most populous officially Francophone country in the world and the 4th-most populous country in Africa.
During President Tshisekedi’s visit, H H the Amir and H E the President witnessed the signing of several agreements and MoUs between the two countries’ governments. They agreed to promote and protect mutual investments, economic and commercial cooperation, and an understanding to avoid double taxation and prevent financial evasion. Both countries also agreed to partner in maritime transport and aviation services.
