The Somali National Army (SNA) is to receive “military equipment designed to deliver lethal force” from the European Peace Facility (EPF) of the European Union Council (EUC).
The assistance, valued at $1.1 million, will, according to an EUC statement, “strengthen the capacity of the SNA to be trained at the General Dhagabadan training centre, with a view to restore safety and security in the country and protect the civilian population”.
Josep Borrell, EUC High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said: “The EU is determined to help the SNA assume full responsibility over security operations in Somalia. Our joint interest remains security and stability in the country.”
The ammunition will be supplied “solely” for training SNA personnel, in conjunction with the EU training mission in Somalia. Musketry apart, the training will see Somali soldiers given full insight into the relevant parts of international law, particularly as regards human rights and humanitarian law.
This capacity-building support through the EU Training Mission in Somalia is coupled with the 69 million euros worth of equipment and supplies delivered to the SNA since 2019 and remains essential for Somalia to be in better control of its security.
The European Peace Facility was established in March 2021 to finance all Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) actions in military and defence areas, with the aim of preventing conflict, preserving peace and strengthening international security and stability. In particular, the European Peace Facility allows the EU to finance actions designed to strengthen the capacities of third states and regional and international organisations as regards military and defence matters
The European Union stepped up to support the Somali Army through the EU Training Mission in Somalia for a long time, making it the second biggest donor from the West.
The council has approved a budget of 1 million euros, under the European Peace Center, to support the equipping of the Armed Forces, so that they have a visible power.
The EU assistance will strengthen the quality of the Somali forces that will be trained at the training center of General Dhagabadan in Mogadishu, according to the defense ministry.
With the support of the US and other partners, including the EU and AU, the Somali army gained control of more territory from Al-Shabaab during the first phase of the ongoing operations.
The Somali government says it plans to shift military tactics against al-Shabab amid increased resistance and threats coming from the Al-Qaeda-linked militant groups.
In December 2023, the United Nations Security Council voted to lift the arms embargo on Somalia’s government and its security forces, ending more than 30 years of restrictions on weapons deliveries to the Horn of Africa country.
The council adopted two British-drafted resolutions on Friday, one to remove the full arms embargo on Somalia and another to reimpose an arms embargo on Al Qaeda-linked Al Shabaab militants, who have been fighting the Somali government since 2006.
The move is aimed at strengthening the Somali government’s ability to combat the Islamist insurgency and restore stability and security in the country, which has been mired in civil war and chaos since the overthrow of dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991. The council also expressed concern about the lack of safe ammunition storage facilities in Somalia and urged other countries to help the Somali government construct, refurbish and use safe ammunition depots across the country.
Meanwhile, this June, the African Union Transitional Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) officially handed over six stations to the Federal Government of Somalia, namely Haji Ali, Mirtiquo, Adale, Albao, Gherille, and Al Jazeera 1.
Somalia will now be responsible for its security, as some of its soldiers have been undergoing training in several allied countries including Turkey, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Allies and AU forces continue to support the Somali National Army to combat al-Shabaab and other Islamist militant groups and capture territory controlled by them, by providing training, equipment, intelligence services, and sometimes air support.