Hassan Sheikh Says Somalia Is Ready to Take Full Security Responsibility as Foreign Forces Prepare to Leave

Mogadishu (WDN) — President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has declared that the time has come for Somalia’s armed forces to assume full responsibility for the country’s security as international troops gradually reduce their presence, presenting the graduation of thousands of newly trained soldiers as evidence of growing national military capacity.

The President made the remarks during a graduation ceremony at the Xananbuure military training center in Galgaduud, where thousands of soldiers who had undergone nearly a year of training graduated.

The Federal Government described the graduating class as the largest single group of Somali troops trained inside the country at this level since the collapse of Somalia’s central government in 1991.

Addressing the recruits, Hassan Sheikh urged them to uphold military discipline, protect national unity and defend Somalia’s sovereignty. “Our time has come. It is time for us to assume responsibility,” the President said.