On January 15, Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, announced an official ceasefire in Gaza. This significant development aims to halt the Zionist entity's aggression and massacres in the region, which have persisted for over 15 months. The violence has resulted in over 60,000 Palestinian martyrs, including both the deceased and missing, in addition to more than 112,000 wounded, thousands detained, and near-total destruction of Gaza's infrastructure and daily life.
This announcement, made with the active participation of Egypt and the involvement of an American mediator representing the Biden administration, underscores the crucial contributions of Qatari diplomacy. The exact role of the American mediator remains unclear, but Qatar’s efforts over 470 days of mediation exemplify its dedication.
Despite the criminal actions of Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of the Zionist entity, who consistently undermined mediation efforts while falsely accusing Hamas of doing so, Qatar has persisted in its efforts. Western powers, including the American administration, often echoed Netanyahu's claims despite knowing the truth. Yet, Qatar continued its diplomatic mission with resilience, adding another achievement to its record.
Since Shaikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani assumed power on June 27, 1995, Qatar has established itself as a significant player in global political and economic arenas. The nation has elevated its gross domestic product and its citizens' standard of living. By 2012, Qatar had retained the title of the world's highest per capita income for the third consecutive year, surpassing Luxembourg for the first time in 2010. This success has been carried forward by Shaikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who took over leadership on June 25, 2013. Under his guidance, Qatar has become a key mediator in resolving numerous regional and international conflicts.
Qatar’s ability to mediate effectively stems from its reputation as a neutral, honest, and reliable entity, maintaining equal distance from conflicting parties. This approach mirrors the diplomatic efforts of other GCC nations, such as Oman, which also play significant roles in regional stability. The success of any GCC nation in these efforts is shared success, highlighting the interconnectedness of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Qatari diplomacy has garnered notable achievements in recent years. These include mediating the Doha Agreement in 2008, which resolved an 18-month political crisis in Lebanon, and hosting peace talks for Sudan between 2008 and 2013. The latter resulted in agreements involving the Sudanese government and various parties, including the Justice and Equality Movement in Darfur.
In 2020, Qatar facilitated a landmark agreement between the United States and the Taliban, ending years of war. Its efforts extend to Yemen in 2008, the Sudan-Chad peace agreement in 2010, and the ceasefire between Djibouti and Eritrea the same year. Qatar also mediated between Afghan factions in 2013 and helped resume diplomatic relations between Kenya and Somalia, culminating in the Somali-Kenyan border agreement in May 2021. Moreover, Qatar has consistently played a role in brokering ceasefires between Hamas and the Zionist entity in Gaza during various escalations.
Qatar’s regional and international mediation successes are too numerous to list comprehensively. However, these efforts demonstrate that a nation’s influence is not dictated by its size or population. With an area of just 11,571 square km and a population of approximately 3.12 million, Qatar’s ambitious leadership has ensured its name resonates across global capitals.
Translated by Badr al Dhafari
The original version of this article was published in Oman Arabic newspaper on January 28.
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