Somalia to recruit 100,000 new soldiers in major national army expansion to counter Al-Shabaab
The president has placed military reform at the centre of his strategy to defeat Al-Shabaab and restore long-term stability throughout the country.
The Federal Government of Somalia has announced a plan to recruit up to 100,000 new soldiers as part of its effort to strengthen the national defence and combat violent extremism.
The initiative is aimed at countering the continuing threat of Al-Shabaab, which continues to challenge government authority.
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Defence Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi presented the plan to the Senate, explaining that the government’s primary objective is to build a capable and self-reliant Somali National Army (SNA).
He said the expansion of the armed forces is a necessary step toward defending the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity at a time when Somalia is undergoing a complex political and security transition.
Security framework incomplete
Ahmed told MPs that Somalia’s security framework remains incomplete as long as foreign troops continue to operate inside the country.
He called for immediate reforms to establish a fully independent national defence system that can manage internal and external security without reliance on international forces.
“Real security will only come when Somali soldiers, not foreign ones, are responsible for protecting our people and borders,” the minister said.
He described the new recruitment plan as part of a broader vision of achieving sovereign independence in national security. This objective, he noted, is a central element of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s government agenda.
The president has placed military reform at the centre of his strategy to defeat Al-Shabaab and restore long-term stability throughout the country.
At present, the Somali National Army has an estimated strength of around 40,000 personnel. Many of these soldiers have been trained under bilateral programs supported by foreign partners, including the United States and Turkey.
Military training base
Turkey operates its largest overseas military training base in Mogadishu, where Somali officers and recruits undergo advanced training in leadership, strategy, and field operations.
The United States, through the US Africa Command (AFRICOM), has also continued to support the training and equipping of Somali forces, particularly the elite Danab Special Forces.
The plan to increase troop numbers to 100,000 represents a significant expansion of Somalia’s defence capacity, which the government hopes will enable the national forces to take full responsibility for security operations.
This expansion comes at a time when the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), which replaced the long-standing AMISOM mission, is in the process of gradually withdrawing its troops in accordance with a transition timeline agreed upon with the Somali government.
African Union troops
Minister Ahmed acknowledged the important role that African Union troops have played in supporting Somalia’s security efforts over the years. However, he said the next stage requires Somali institutions to assume full responsibility for defending the country.
He emphasised that a strong, disciplined, and well-trained national army is essential for maintaining peace and stability after the exit of foreign forces.
Despite progress in training and operations, Somalia continues to face challenges related to funding and logistics.
The country’s defence sector remains heavily dependent on international assistance for salaries, equipment, and operational support.
Financial constraints
The minister admitted that financial constraints could slow the implementation of the recruitment plan unless additional domestic and international resources are mobilised.
There have also been ongoing concerns about the management of defence funds.
The US Africa Command has raised questions over the use of resources allocated to the Danab Special Forces, pointing to the need for more transparent and accountable financial systems within Somalia’s defence institutions.
Somali authorities have pledged to address these concerns through reforms aimed at improving oversight and ensuring that all resources reach their intended purposes.
As the government prepares to move forward with the recruitment process, officials say the priority will be to ensure that new soldiers are properly trained and integrated into the national command structure. The goal, they say, is not only to increase numbers but also to build a professional and unified army capable of sustaining peace and protecting the country without external support.
The minister concluded his statement by reaffirming that Somalia’s path to lasting security depends on its ability to rely on its own forces.
He said the government remains determined to build an army that can defend the nation’s people, territory, and institutions in a stable and independent future.
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