Defence Minister Abdulkadir Sheikh Ali Diini has said despite all the challenges facing it, Somali National Army (SNA) is determined to defend the country and annihilate Al-Shabaab fighters.
A delegation led by the Federal Minister of Defence, who is presently visiting Adado has already had several meetings with the Government officials, SNA commanders and the elders.
Diini who visited Adado town to discuss with Galmudug leaders on the ongoing re-building and modernisation of the Somali forces and future operations against Al-Shabaab fighters in the region said his main priority during his tenure is rebuilding Somalia’s army, which has endured more than 20 years of chaos and war.
“Alongside our AMISOM partners we will continue to make progress in liberating areas of Somalia still under Al-Shabaab control,” said the minister.
The defense minister praised Galmudug State for its tireless efforts to retain the status of the Somali national army.
‘’ The rebuilding of an army is not something that can be done overnight. You have to equip the army and rebuild the barracks. We will focus on that and make sure we build a national force,’’ he said.
The minister’s visit comes barely three after over 16 soldiers were killed in US led airstrike on military base near Galkaayo town.
Somalia, once one of Africa’s largest military forces under former dictator Siad Barre, toppled in 1991, The army was been torn apart by decades of clan rivalries and the absence of any effective government to actually serve.
Somalia faces profound challenges reforming its security sector. Issues include an underdeveloped national command and control system, competing clan-based loyalties, limited equipment and resources, and discipline concerns.
