Kagame meets Qatar’s Emir in Doha after death of Sheikh Hamad

President Paul Kagame met Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in Doha on Monday, 13 July 2026, to offer condolences following the death of former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

The meeting took place at Lusail Palace during Qatar’s official mourning period. According to the Qatari Amiri Diwan, Kagame conveyed his condolences directly to Sheikh Tamim following the death of his father, who was officially known in Qatar as the Father Amir.

Kagame arrived in Doha on Monday morning with a Rwandan delegation. He was received at Hamad International Airport by Qatar’s Minister of Transport, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Thani, and Rwanda’s ambassador to Qatar, Igor Marara Kayinamura.

KEY FACTS

• Kagame travelled to Doha to offer condolences following Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani’s death.
• He met Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani at Lusail Palace.
• Qatar began four days of public mourning on Sunday, 12 July 2026.
• Sheikh Hamad ruled Qatar from 1995 until he transferred power to his son in 2013.
• His reign was associated with major changes in Qatar’s energy, education, media and infrastructure sectors.

KAGAME RECEIVED AT HAMAD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

The Qatar News Agency said Kagame and the accompanying delegation arrived in Doha on Monday morning.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Thani, Qatar’s transport minister, led the officials who received the Rwandan delegation at the airport. Rwanda was represented by Ambassador Igor Marara Kayinamura.

The airport reception formed part of the official protocol surrounding the arrival of foreign leaders and delegations travelling to Qatar to offer condolences.

Kagame was among several foreign leaders and senior officials received in Doha during the mourning period. Qatar’s Emir also met leaders and government representatives from countries including Kuwait, Bahrain, Pakistan and Lebanon.

KAGAME OFFERS CONDOLENCES AT LUSAIL PALACE

Sheikh Tamim received Kagame at Lusail Palace on Monday morning.

The official Qatari statement said the Rwandan president offered condolences following the death of Sheikh Hamad. It did not report a separate bilateral policy discussion during the meeting.

Senior members of Qatar’s ruling family and government attended the meeting. They included Deputy Emir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, and Speaker of the Shura Council Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim.

The visit represented Rwanda during the formal ceremonies through which governments and international leaders expressed solidarity with Qatar’s leadership and people following the former Emir’s death.

QATAR OBSERVES FOUR DAYS OF PUBLIC MOURNING

The Amiri Diwan declared four days of public mourning beginning on Sunday, 12 July 2026.

Flags were ordered to fly at half-mast throughout Qatar during the mourning period. Work at ministries, government agencies, public authorities and institutions was suspended from Monday, with employees scheduled to resume their duties on Sunday, 19 July.

Sheikh Tamim participated in his father’s funeral procession at Lusail Cemetery on Sunday. Members of the ruling family, ministers, senior officials, dignitaries and members of the public also attended.

These arrangements explain why Kagame’s visit was centred on Lusail Palace, where Qatar’s Emir received mourners and foreign delegations.

WHY SHEIKH HAMAD WAS KNOWN AS THE FATHER AMIR

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani governed Qatar from 1995 to 2013.

He transferred power to his son, Sheikh Tamim, on 25 June 2013. Sheikh Tamim subsequently assumed his responsibilities as Qatar’s current Emir.

Following the transfer of authority, Sheikh Hamad became officially known as the Father Amir. The title distinguished the former ruler from his son while recognising his continuing position within Qatar’s ruling family and modern history.

The New Times reported that Sheikh Hamad died on Sunday, 12 July 2026. Qatar’s official news agency described him as one of the principal figures in the country’s modern transformation.

SHEIKH HAMAD’S ROLE IN QATAR’S DEVELOPMENT

Qatar underwent major economic and institutional changes during Sheikh Hamad’s 18-year rule.

The expansion of the North Field gas industry and liquefied natural gas exports strengthened Qatar’s position in the global energy sector.

His reign also included the establishment of the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development in 1995 and the launch of Al Jazeera in 1996.

Qatar’s Permanent Constitution entered into force in 2004, while Qatar National Vision 2030 was approved in 2008.

Qatar also won the right to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup during Sheikh Hamad’s rule. The successful bid made Qatar the first Arab and Muslim country selected to host the men’s tournament.

Developments in energy production, education, media, infrastructure and international diplomacy during Sheikh Hamad’s leadership established much of the institutional foundation inherited by Sheikh Tamim in 2013.

Credit to: The New Times