Somalia needs a feared military in world of no rules: PM

Mogadishu (Somalia Today) – Somalia’s prime minister has warned that “the rules of the world are finished”, declaring that the Horn of Africa nation must rapidly build a feared military to survive amid rising regional tensions and a relentless war against Islamist militants.

Hamza Abdi Barre used a gala event in Mogadishu late on Sunday to deliver a stark message about the country’s security needs as Somalia marked the 66th anniversary of its armed forces.

He said a nation without protected borders is like “an open house full of precious goods”, vulnerable to anyone who wants to seize them.

“Today, the rules of the world are finished, and no country can exist if it does not have military power to be feared,” Hamza told senior government officials, military commanders and security chiefs.

State media released the remarks as the Somali government tries to rebuild state institutions, defeat a stubborn Islamist insurgency and manage rising regional tensions.

No honour without force

April 12 marks the founding of the Somali National Army in 1960, shortly before the union of British Somaliland and the former Italian-administered south created the Somali Republic.

During the government of Siad Barre, the army grew into one of sub-Saharan Africa’s largest militaries before collapsing in 1991 along with the Somali state.

Hamza said Somalia needed a disciplined force capable of defending its religion, people and territory.

He also stressed the importance of protecting the country’s borders.

Regional tensions have risen since January 2024, when Ethiopia signed a maritime access agreement with Somaliland.

Mogadishu has denounced the deal as a violation of Somali sovereignty.

Somalia has since signed defence and maritime security agreements with Turkey and Egypt.

The prime minister also praised recent military operations against Al-Shabaab. He highlighted fighting in Bay, Bakool, Lower Shabelle, Middle Shabelle and Lower Juba.

The Somali government says the army, backed by local clan militias, international partners and African Union forces, has recovered territory from Al-Shabaab since President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud launched a campaign against the group in 2022.

Official statements say Somali forces operating with international support have killed hundreds of Al-Shabaab fighters in central and southern Somalia.

The insurgent group, however, has continued to stage attacks in different parts of the country.

Security transition

The anniversary comes as Somalia continues to adjust to changes in the international security framework supporting its armed forces.

On January 1, 2025, the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia, known as AUSSOM, replaced the larger ATMIS mission under a new UN-backed framework.

Somalia initially opposed Ethiopian participation in the new mission because of the dispute over Somaliland, but later accepted their involvement.

The UN Security Council lifted the remaining restrictions of a 31-year arms embargo in December 2023, giving the Somali military wider access to weapons.

The government says that the move has helped Somalia strengthen national control over security responsibilities.

Earlier this month, Hamza formally handed command of the army to a new chief, Major General Ibrahim Mohamed Mahmoud.

At Sunday’s event, the prime minister also spoke about the welfare of soldiers and their families.

He said the government had laid the foundation stone for a specialised care centre in Mogadishu for military orphans, wounded personnel and retired soldiers.

He also said the government had created a new institution to protect the rights and welfare of military families.