Somali Future Council warns against politicizing the national army
Mogadishu (AX) — The Somali Future Council on Sunday issued a sharp warning against politicizing the Somali National Army, saying the country’s security forces must be protected from clan rivalry and partisan pressure if they are to remain...
Monday April 13, 2026
Mogadishu (AX) — The Somali Future Council on Sunday issued a sharp warning against politicizing the Somali National Army, saying the country’s security forces must be protected from clan rivalry and partisan pressure if they are to remain effective and credible.
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In a statement released to coincide with the 66th anniversary of the army’s founding on April 12, the council congratulated servicemen and women and praised their role in defending the nation, preserving unity and helping maintain public order.
At the same time, it said the armed forces should never be turned into an instrument for private or political gain.
“The National Army is not a tool for personal or group interests,” the statement said, warning that any effort to inject clan considerations or political agendas into the force could erode its cohesion and place national security at risk.
The council voiced concern that recent political language had begun to signal dangers for security institutions, particularly if they are pulled into disputes over power. It called on the federal government to strengthen the army’s neutrality and block any interference that could tarnish its standing.
The group also urged a firmer commitment to constitutional principles across the security sector, saying officers should be enabled to serve strictly within the law and in line with professional military standards.
“Protecting security institutions is a fundamental pillar of statehood,” the statement said, stressing that public confidence and institutional independence are vital to the army’s legitimacy.
Somalia commemorated the anniversary with a ceremony in Mogadishu attended by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Defense Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi and Somali National Army Commander Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Mohamed Mahmoud. The event included a military parade featuring armored vehicles and aircraft, underscoring what officials described as the army’s expanding operational capability.
The celebration came against a backdrop of rising political tensions in parts of the country, as debate grows over governance and proposed constitutional changes.