The Federal Government has significantly increased the recruitment of new forces and four regions...

Mogadishu (Caasimada Online) – The Federal Government of Somalia has accelerated the recruitment of new youth to join the various forces of the country, as it prepares for the Somali forces to take over security responsibilities when the African Union Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) is reduced or concluded.

The recruitment of new forces is taking place in the Banaadir region and the administrations of HirShabelle, Galmudug, and South West, with the recruited youth being integrated into the armed forces, police, and other national security agencies.

As reported by Caasimada Online, senior government leaders and military commanders are prioritizing the preparation of a new force to strengthen the country's security capacity, while also taking over the responsibilities currently partially fulfilled by the African Union forces.

The training camps for the new forces, located in Mogadishu and parts of the country's regions, have been visited by government officials, military officers, and other members who are assessing the training and preparations of the recruited youth.

The government's plan comes at a time when it is expected that by the year 2027, there will be changes to the presence of AUSSOM forces in Somalia, with the possibility of their numbers being reduced or parts of the country being vacated. The ongoing measures are part of efforts to strengthen the capacity of the national forces ahead of that change.

Compared to previous years, the government forces have more opportunities related to training, military equipment, and support from countries allied with Somalia. This support is crucial for the plan to build a force capable of independently ensuring the country's security.

} The military buildup is related to the opportunities the government has gained in terms of equipment and security support, especially after the lifting of the arms embargo on Somalia, which has allowed it to acquire additional military equipment.

The Federal Government also aims to strengthen its forces to ensure the security of government facilities, national institutions, and senior leaders, while reducing reliance on foreign troops.

However, the success of this plan will depend on the quality of training, access to sufficient weapons and supplies, maintaining the salaries of the forces, and the government's ability to manage security responsibilities as support from the African Union decreases.