Mogadishu, Somalia – Somalia’s efforts to professionalize its armed forces received a fresh boost on Wednesday as State Minister of Defense Omar Ali Abdi formally opened the Steering Committee meeting for the SNA III Project, a major European Union–funded initiative under the European Peace Facility (EPF).
The gathering, held in Mogadishu, brought together some of the country’s most senior defense and security officials. National Security Adviser Ambassador Aweys Haji and Chief of Defense Forces General Odowa Yusuf Rage were in attendance, alongside EU Ambassador to Somalia Francesca Di Mauro. Senior representatives from the Ministry of Defense, Somali National Armed Forces (SNAF), and European Union institutions also participated.
The SNA III Project is the latest in a series of EPF-supported programmes designed to strengthen and professionalize the Somali National Armed Forces through structured training, operational planning support, and logistical capacity-building. While details of the latest implementation phase have yet to be disclosed publicly, participants signaled a renewed sense of urgency ahead of the ongoing African Union troop drawdown.
In his opening remarks, Abdi thanked the EU for what he called its “long-standing and unwavering commitment” to Somalia’s transition from dependency on international peacekeepers to self-reliant national defense. He stressed that reforming the army was not merely a technical exercise but a nation-building imperative.
Amb. Di Mauro reaffirmed the EU’s support, noting that Europe’s investment in Somalia’s military reform is tied to long-term stability and accountability. Sources present at the meeting said discussions covered timelines, coordination mechanisms, and how best to ensure that EU-backed training translates into operational effectiveness on the ground.
Gen. Odowa, who has overseen major restructuring within the army in recent years, reportedly urged the committee to focus on sustainability rather than symbolism.
“A professional army is not just trained—it is equipped, paid, and respected,” he was quoted as saying by an official who attended the session.
The Steering Committee is expected to reconvene in the coming weeks with refined action points. For many in Mogadishu’s security circles, today’s meeting was not just another development milestone—it was a reminder that Somalia’s future stability hinges on whether its national forces can finally stand on their own.