Mogadishu, Somalia – The Federal Minister of Defence, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, on Sunday presided over a ceremony commissioning a new committee mandated to spearhead reforms within the Somali National Armed Forces (SNAF).
The committee’s creation marks a critical step in the government’s broader agenda to professionalize and modernize the military at a time when Somalia is transitioning from the African Union Transition Mission (ATMIS) to the new African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).
Speaking at the ceremony, Fiqi emphasized that reforming the armed forces is central to building a disciplined, unified, and self-reliant military capable of defending Somalia’s sovereignty and countering persistent security threats.
“The Somali people deserve a professional army that upholds the highest standards of discipline and effectiveness. This committee will ensure that reform is not just policy on paper but a reality that strengthens our national defence,” Fiqi said.
The committee is expected to oversee structural, administrative, and training reforms within the SNAF, focusing on issues such as standardizing recruitment, enhancing accountability, and integrating advanced training programs. It will also align military operations with Somalia’s National Security Architecture and the ongoing transfer of security responsibilities as AUSSOM gradually assumes its mandate.
Military officials, government representatives, and security partners present at the ceremony welcomed the initiative, highlighting it as a timely measure that would bolster Somalia’s long-term stability.
The commissioning follows a series of recent steps taken by the Federal Government to enhance the operational readiness of the Somali forces, including joint training programs with international partners and the assumption of control over several bases handed over by departing AU forces.
Analysts note that the success of the reforms will be vital to ensuring Somalia’s security transition is sustainable and to building public trust in the armed forces, which remain central to the fight against terrorism and the safeguarding of national unity.