Somaliland’s Ministry of Defense as well as the Commander of the Somaliland National Army have encouraged all soldiers to participate in the ongoing registration of all members of the military as part of the efforts implemented to modernize it.
The government initiated a comprehensive biometric registration campaign for its armed forces, emphasizing it as a national duty and a pivotal step toward military modernization. This initiative, launched on February 1, 2025, mandates all security personnel to undergo IRIS biometric registration within a 30-day period. The primary objectives are to eliminate payroll fraud, eradicate “ghost” personnel, and ensure that salaries are disbursed only to verified service members.
President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro has repeatedly underscored the significance of this reform, linking it directly to a 50% salary increase for the armed forces in 2025. This increment is part of a broader commitment to raise military pay by 250% over his first term in office. The salary adjustments will be implemented following the successful completion of the biometric registration and personnel census.
The biometric registration is also a foundational element of the government’s broader strategy to modernize the military. Plans include enhanced training, acquisition of modern equipment, and integration of civilian militias into the national army to strengthen national security.
Despite the ambitious nature of this initiative, challenges such as logistical hurdles in remote areas and resistance from entrenched interests benefiting from existing payroll practices may arise. Nevertheless, the administration views this campaign as a critical step toward enhancing transparency, accountability, and the overall effectiveness of Somaliland’s security forces.