Ambassador Urges Elite Somali Guard Trainees in Serbia to Uphold Highest Standards

GOOBJOOG NEWS | BELGRADE: Somalia’s ambassador to Serbia, Mohamed Abdullahi Ahmed, delivered a strong message to members of the elite Presidential Guard on Thursday, telling officers training at the Marshal Tito (Kula) Training Centre that their performance abroad will directly influence the safety of Somalia’s top institutions.

The ambassador visited the unit, currently enrolled in an advanced capacity-building programme facilitated by the Serbian government, to assess progress and rally the officers as they undergo specialised protection and tactical training.

Addressing the trainees, Ambassador Ahmed said the responsibility they carry extends far beyond individual careers. He told them the skills they acquire in Serbia will play “a decisive role” in strengthening Somalia’s leadership protection at a time when security reforms are underway.

“You are here to gain skills vital for our nation,” he said. “Approach this training with discipline and integrity so you return home fully prepared to safeguard Somalia’s highest offices.”

He thanked the Serbian Ministry of Interior for supporting Somalia’s security sector, describing the cooperation as a strategic partnership that directly contributes to political stability in Mogadishu.

Diplomats accompanying the ambassador said the programme aims not only to enhance individual capability but also to raise the overall standard of the Presidential Guard, whose effectiveness is central to the credibility of state institutions.

The training forms part of a growing defence and security collaboration between Somalia and Serbia, underscoring Somalia’s push to professionalise its protective forces and strengthen resilience across its security apparatus.