Mogadishu, Somalia – In a high-level meeting in Mogadishu on Wednesday, senior Somali officials and international partners convened to advance efforts on arms and ammunition management, a crucial step in strengthening national security and curbing the flow of illicit weapons.
The biannual gathering, attended by the United Kingdom’s Ambassador to Somalia, Charles King, and representatives from various global partners, centered on finalizing Somalia’s upcoming National Strategy for 2025–2030. The framework is designed to bolster oversight, enhance accountability, and promote safer storage and tracking of weapons throughout the country.
For Somalia, the strategy marks a critical milestone in its ongoing journey toward full sovereignty and stability. Years of conflict have left the nation grappling with the challenge of unregulated arms circulation, fueling insecurity and undermining reconstruction efforts. The new plan aims to close those gaps by tightening controls across government and security institutions while aligning with international best practices.
Participants at the meeting emphasized the shared responsibility between national and international actors to ensure weapons entering Somalia are effectively monitored and used solely for legitimate security purposes. The upcoming strategy will also strengthen institutional capacity, support transparent record-keeping, and prioritize training for security personnel handling arms and ammunition.
As Somalia prepares to take greater ownership of its defense and security architecture, the 2025–2030 National Strategy represents a vital roadmap for safer governance of arms—one that aspires not only to secure borders and protect citizens, but also to reinforce peace and trust in the post-conflict rebuilding process.