Prime Minister visits Ministry of Defence on New Year’s Day

 

His Excellency Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed made his first visit to the Ministry of Defence on New Year’s Day.

The Prime Minister toured the Ministry of Defence and viewed equipment of the Somali security forces before meeting with the Minister of Defence, Chief of Defence Forces and other senior military officers to discuss the ongoing re-building and modernisation of the Somali security forces and future operations against Al-Shabaab. The Prime Minister then visited Jazeera Military Training Camp to speak to more than 800 new Somali National Army recruits.

The Prime Minister, said: “I thank the officers, soldiers and recruits of the Somali security forces for their brave service, hard work and commitment to our country. They serve their country despite the limited resources at their disposal and are an example to all of us.

“2014 will be the year of success in destroying the terrorists that only want to bring indiscriminant violence and instability to Somalia. Alongside our AMISOM partners we will continue to make progress in liberating areas of Somalia still under Al-Shabaab control.

“Looking back, 2013 has been a challenging year as we started the long process of rebuilding our country and institutions but also a year when our country pulled together. As a country we have re-emerged on the world stage and continued to build on the security gains made by the Somali security forces and AMISOM. Our economy is growing and foreign investors now see Somalia as an attractive investment opportunity. We have witnessed schools and hospitals reopen and health programs begin to be rolled out across the country. This progress is down to the extraordinary efforts of ordinary Somalis.

“My government will build on the successes and progress made in 2013 as we continue to build a new Somalia.”

ENDS

Ridwaan Haji
Government Spokesperson
Prime Minister’s Media Office
Mogadishu, Somalia