Mogadishu, Somalia – Somalia has emerged as the leading African recipient of the European Peace Facility, a key instrument of the European Union’s defense and security support, according to EU Ambassador to Somalia Francesca Di Mauro.
Speaking at the opening of the SNA III Steering Committee meeting in Mogadishu, Ambassador Di Mauro praised the substantial progress made under the ongoing SNA III project — a programme designed to bolster the Somali National Armed Forces (SNAF) through training, equipment provision and enhanced mobility.
“Somalia today stands as the foremost African beneficiary of the European Peace Facility,” she said, affirming the EU’s confidence in the country’s reform trajectory and its efforts to rebuild a professional, accountable army capable of assuming full security responsibilities.
The meeting was inaugurated by State Minister of Defense Omar Ali Abdi, who reiterated the government’s ambition to transition from foreign-backed operations to a fully self-reliant national force. He thanked EU partners for their steadfast support, noting that gains made on the battlefield must now be secured through institutional strengthening and sustained partnership.
Also in attendance were National Security Adviser Ambassador Aweys Haji, Chief of Defense Forces General Odowa Yusuf Rage, senior officials from the Ministry of Defense and SNAF, as well as EU representatives.
Participants reviewed progress in force generation, logistics support and operational readiness under the SNA III framework. Discussions also focused on upcoming priorities, including airlift capabilities, command and control structures, and the integration of regional forces.
The European Peace Facility has become a cornerstone of Somalia’s military reform, financing everything from barracks rehabilitation to armored transport. While the support remains external, officials at the meeting stressed that local ownership is steadily increasing.
As international troops prepare to hand over more security responsibilities, the EU’s reassurance is likely to boost confidence within Somalia’s security establishment. But both sides acknowledge that success will be measured not in declarations, but in the performance of Somali soldiers on the ground.
For now, Somalia stands not just as a beneficiary, but as a test case for long-term European investment in African security.