Female officers of the Somali Police Force’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit have successfully completed explosive threat mitigation training funded by Japan. This initiative is part of Japan’s ongoing commitment to enhancing Somalia’s capacity to manage explosive hazards.
In November 2024, the Japanese government donated critical equipment to the Somali Police Force’s Mine Action Unit to strengthen its ability to detect and neutralize explosive devices. Somali Police Chief Brigadier General Asad Osman Abdullahi expressed gratitude for this support, highlighting its importance in ensuring public safety. The Mine Action Unit has also received specialized training from the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) to improve their effectiveness in mitigating explosive threats.
Japan’s contributions have been instrumental in supporting UNMAS efforts to reduce the threat posed by explosive hazards in Somalia. Over the past decade, Japan has contributed significant funds to mine action in Somalia, facilitating risk education programs and providing additional training to the Somali Police Force for explosive device clearance and management.
These collaborative efforts aim to enhance the skills and effectiveness of Somali police officers, including female officers, in countering the dangers posed by improvised explosive devices and other explosive hazards.