Somalia, international partners review security sector reforms in Mogadishu

Wednesday April 29, 2026

Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia on Wednesday put its security sector under the microscope, as government officials and international partners gathered in Mogadishu for a senior-level review centered on reform, accountability and the long-term viability of the country’s armed forces.

The session brought together federal government representatives, the World Bank and other international partners to take stock of progress and pinpoint the remaining weak spots in critical institutions.

Discussions centered on strengthening legal frameworks, improving personnel and payroll management, tightening procurement systems, and advancing pension reforms within the security sector.

Defence Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi said Somalia’s progress in the security field must be judged by more than battlefield gains, stressing that the credibility of the institutions behind the forces matters just as much.

“Security transformation is not measured by operations alone, but by the accountability of forces and the systems that support them,” he said.

Fiqi pointed to recent steps already taken, including a nationwide force census and a biometric registration program designed to confirm troop numbers and build a reliable national registry.

He added that the government is working toward a monthly personnel verification system tied to payroll and deployment, a move intended to make sure salaries go only to those actively serving.

The minister also emphasized the need for reforms such as the Defence Bill, stronger procurement oversight and the creation of a sustainable pension structure, along with support systems for injured soldiers and the families of those killed in service.

Federal government representatives said the measures are part of a wider push to professionalize the Somali National Armed Forces and bring greater transparency to the use of public funds.

Also present at the meeting were the Minister of Internal Security, Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail, Deputy Minister of Finance Abdiqafar Elmi Haange, Director General of the Presidency Mr Abdihakim Yusuf, Senior Defence Affairs Advisor to the President Ms Jihan Abdullahi Hassan, Mr Hideki. Matsunaga, World Bank Country Manager for Somalia Verena Fritiz, Lead governance Specialist World Bank, and representatives of International Partners.

Somalia has recorded gains in recent years against militant groups such as Al-Shabaab, but officials say those advances will only endure if reforms continue and the security sector is built on stronger, more accountable governance.