Somalia Armed forces celebrate its 53rd anniversary in Mogadishu on Friday.
Mogadishu (RBC) Somalia president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has addressed at the 53rd anniversary of Somalia National Army [SNA] which was once recognized as the most powerful forces in Africa.
In a highly organized ceremony with the presence of foreign officers including Djibouti, Burundi, Uganda and Ethiopian officers, thousands of the divisions of the country’s armed forces celebrated on Friday marking the establishment of the forces on April 12th 1960 just before the nation’s independence.
In his speech Somalia president Hassan Sheikh Mohamed pledged reform will continue into the military ranks in order to bring strong and reliable security forces and officers and ending clan-based militias.
“To go forward into a suitable position of our army, we will not stop the reform of the military officers until we reach the place we anticipate.” the president reminded.
“You should guard your prestige as armed forces member,.. military personnels are not only defending our country but also helping our people.” the president emphasized.
President Mohamud also cleared that armed forces were required to be loyal to the civilian government protecting from both inside and outside enemy.
Somalia armed forces commander, Gen. Dahir Ali Aden also mentioned that the country now gains the most ever prospect to secure its borders and push out of the terrorists through the newly lifted arms embargo by the United Nations.
“Let me make clear that it was a very positive step to lift the arms embargo.” Gen Aden said warning that any member who commits inhumanity acts will face strict punishment.
The Friday’s celebrations came just days the ministry of defense presented more than 500 hundred newly trained soldiers in Mogadishu following the new government’s struggle to rebuild and re-equip the country’s armed forces.
Last month the UN Security Council suspended its arms embargo against Somalia for a year, easing the oldest international weapons blockade to help the government in Somalia take on Islamist militants affiliated to Al Qaeda.
Meanwhile the Djibouti government became the first nation to provide military equipments to Somalia government last week as U.S President Barack Obama announced last week that his administration will move to provide military assistance to Somalia federal government after lifting the United Nations arms embargo.
RBC Radio
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