Galmudug leader transfers personal weapons and military equipment to state security forces

DHUSAMAREB, Somalia — Galmudug state leader Liibaan Ahmed Hassan has handed over vehicles, weapons and military supplies that he personally owned to the regional administration’s security agencies, in a move aimed at strengthening government control over security resources and supporting operations against al-Shabab.

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud attended the handover ceremony in Dhusamareb, the regional capital, where the equipment was formally transferred to Galmudug’s security institutions. The ceremony took place a day after Liibaan’s inauguration as the new leader of Galmudug, a federal member state in central Somalia.

During the event, Liibaan announced that the vehicles, weapons and military supplies would officially become government property and remain under the control of Galmudug’s security agencies even after his term in office ends. “Statehood is built on ensuring that authority and security resources remain in the hands of government institutions legally mandated to exercise that authority, rather than being privately owned by individuals, businesspeople or politicians,” Liibaan said.

The regional leader said the decision was part of broader efforts to strengthen the capacity and effectiveness of Galmudug’s security institutions and accelerate military operations against al-Shabab, the armed group that has waged an insurgency against the Somali government for nearly two decades. He said providing security forces with adequate equipment and supplies was essential to enabling them to carry out their responsibilities and improve security across the state.

Liibaan also identified improved security as a priority of his administration, saying a stable environment would help attract investment, expand commercial activities and encourage tourism. He added that better security conditions would allow international organisations to operate safely in areas under Galmudug’s administration.

The transfer also carries a message to political leaders, public officials and other individuals who possess privately owned weapons and military equipment, particularly those living in Galmudug, about the importance of placing security resources under government control. The move comes as Somalia continues efforts to strengthen state security institutions and reduce reliance on privately controlled military assets.

Galmudug, which includes parts of central Somalia, has been an important front in the federal government’s campaign against al-Shabab. The group maintains a presence in several areas of the country and continues to carry out attacks against security forces and civilians.

The handover represents an effort by the new regional leadership to formalise the ownership and management of military equipment used in security operations, placing it under the authority of state institutions rather than individual officeholders.

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud attended the handover ceremony in Dhusamareb, the regional capital, where the equipment was formally transferred to Galmudug’s security institutions.

The ceremony took place a day after Liibaan’s inauguration as the new leader of Galmudug, a federal member state in central Somalia.

During the event, Liibaan announced that the vehicles, weapons and military supplies would officially become government property and remain under the control of Galmudug’s security agencies even after his term in office ends.

“Statehood is built on ensuring that authority and security resources remain in the hands of government institutions legally mandated to exercise that authority, rather than being privately owned by individuals, businesspeople or politicians,” Liibaan said.

The regional leader said the decision was part of broader efforts to strengthen the capacity and effectiveness of Galmudug’s security institutions and accelerate military operations against al-Shabab, the armed group that has waged an insurgency against the Somali government for nearly two decades.

He said providing security forces with adequate equipment and supplies was essential to enabling them to carry out their responsibilities and improve security across the state.