Mogadishu, Somalia — The Federal Government of Somalia on Thursday honored 31 officers from the Somali National Army (SNA) who successfully completed advanced military training programs in China, marking a significant step in the country’s ongoing efforts to modernize its armed forces.
The awarding ceremony, held in the capital Mogadishu, was attended by State Minister for Defence Omar Sheikh Ali (Omar Gamaar), Deputy Army Chief Brigadier General Madey Sheikh Nur Ufurow, and Chinese Ambassador to Somalia Wang Yi.
The scholarships, facilitated under bilateral military cooperation between Somalia and China, focused on strategic leadership, defense planning, engineering, and military technology. The program was part of a broader effort to enhance the operational capacity of the SNA amid its ongoing battle against al-Shabaab militants and the transition from ATMIS to the new African Union peace support mission, AUSSOM.
Speaking at the event, Gamaar lauded the graduates for their dedication and described the training as “a cornerstone in building a professional, disciplined, and self-reliant Somali military.” He thanked the Chinese government for its “consistent support and commitment” to Somalia’s security sector reform.
Ambassador Wang Yi reaffirmed Beijing’s continued partnership with Mogadishu, stating.
“This is a demonstration of the long-standing friendship between China and Somalia. We will continue to work closely with Somali authorities to promote peace, development, and institutional capacity building,” he said.
Brigadier General Ufurow praised the officers for their perseverance and encouraged them to apply the knowledge acquired to strengthen national defense capabilities.
The event comes as Somalia prepares to take full security responsibility from international forces by the end of 2024, with the SNA playing a central role in securing liberated areas and consolidating peace.
Officials said more training opportunities would be offered in future, not only in China but also through other international partnerships.