Somalia’s Minister of Defense Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur stated that the federal government is committed to safeguarding and pursuing the country’s national interests “at any cost.”
Speaking to the media on Monday, he highlighted the current administration’s efforts in training and equipping 17,000 Somali National Army (SNA) troops to take over security responsibilities from the African Union (AU) forces, which aligns with Somalia’s security transition plan.
This preparation is crucial as the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) continues its phased drawdown and hands over security control to Somali forces.
ATMIS has been reducing its forces in the country gradually.
It has until December 31 this year to pull out its entire force from the East African nation.
According to the defense minister, the government is working closely with its international security partners to train and equip more Somali troops to secure the country from all threats.