Monday 28 Sep 2026 {HMC} Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre has hailed what he described as a major milestone in the country’s security recovery, saying the progress reflects years of sacrifice by the armed forces, security officials and civilians.
“As you know, to truly understand the blessing you are living in, you have to understand where you came from and where you are now. Only then can you appreciate what it means for us to gather tonight and celebrate security,” Barre said at an event celebrating Somalia’s security forces at the Ministry of Defence on Saturday night.
Comparing the endemic insecurity of the past with the current situation, Barre said residents of Mogadishu had endured years of violence as Somalia struggled to rebuild state institutions.
“The people of the capital have suffered for a long time,” he said. “They suffered because of Somalia’s statehood. They were punished for it.”
He recalled attacks on shops, hotels, roads, schools and universities, as well as the killing of health workers, teachers, academics and other civilians. He commended the Somali people for their endurance and sacrifice.
Tangible measures
“The Somali people in general, and particularly the people of Banadir, endured all of this,” Barre said. “I commend them.”
Barre recalled that when he first took office, he was guarded by men and women from African countries contributing troops to the African Union support mission in Somalia, rather than Somali security personnel.
“I said at the time that I was not satisfied with that, and that I would have preferred Somali men and women to protect me,” he said.
He contrasted that period with his journey to the ministry on the night of the ceremony, saying he had travelled from his residence without roads being closed and without a foreign security convoy accompanying him.
For Barre, the journey represented a tangible measure of the country’s security progress as security forces continue to record gains against the Al Shabab terrorist group, which has been perpetrating violence across Somalia for years.
“We moved among Somali people who were there as witnesses,” he said.
“In some places we stopped, we were caught in traffic, and we continued until we reached the Ministry of Defence.”
He paid tribute to Somali soldiers and security personnel serving on the front lines, as well as those who had been killed or wounded in the fight to restore security.
PM Barre praises civilians
Barre further recognized those involved in planning, financing, equipping and training the security forces, as well as those who established the legal and institutional framework underpinning the campaign.
He praised residents for rejecting attempts to plunge the capital into further disorder and for choosing participation in political and civic processes instead, citing recent local elections in Banadir region, where Mogadishu is located.
“Instead of bringing chaos here, instead of creating disorder, they stood in long queues and chose to vote,” he said, prompting applause.
Barre said the decision by residents to seek peace had helped create conditions for greater stability.
“Protect the peace. Protect the blessing of Allah. Understand that it did not come for free,” the prime minister urged the Somali people.
‘Security cannot be turned into politics’
“It came through blood and sacrifice, through Somali men and women who gave their lives,” he reminded them.
The government, he said, had also committed millions of dollars and significant resources to strengthening security and would continue to do so.
He rejected claims that Somalia’s security forces had collapsed, saying they were instead being rebuilt and were increasingly capable of defending the country, with the help of international partners, particularly Türkiye.
“It is false to say that there are no security forces. It is false to say that the forces have collapsed. They have been built. They did not collapse — they have been rebuilt,” he stressed.
“Security cannot be turned into politics,” he cautioned, saying security forces “who have sacrificed their lives” should not be subjected to insults.
SOURCE:TRT Afrika
