United States to Build Military Bases for the Somali National Army

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: The Federal Government of Somalia and the United States government has signed a security pact that presents a roadmap for the construction of military bases, that will enable the Somali National Army take over security responsibilities in the country effectively.  

The agreement was signed during a function presided over by Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Mogadishu, where the two countries inked a memorandum of understanding for the construction of five military bases for Somalia’s National Army.

“Within several months we are looking forward to reaching the 3,000 Danab personnel target set in 2017. The Danab also is being prepared to take over many of the essential functions required to sustain and grow the force, and it is already taking on a greater responsibility for recruiting and training,” said Molly Phee, U.S. assistant secretary of state for African affairs.

Phee, who was at the ceremony, further stated that the U.S. is supporting Somalia so its army can take on al-Shabab.

“We recognize that reliance on temporary and often inadequate camps hamper the Danab’s preparedness and could represent an obstacle to the brigade’s sustainability and growth,” she said.

Ading, “Our shared goal is to have the Somali National Army exercise full control over base operations when the facilities are completed, and the MoU just provides the blueprint to do that.”

The assistant secretary of state added the memorandum of understanding for construction of the bases “reflects our confidence in the future of the Danab and the scale of our investment in Somalia’s security.”

Speaking during the function, President Mohamud thanked the U.S. government for its support saying the contribution has immensely enhanced the Somali National Army’s capability to fight the Al-Shabaab militants.

“U.S. investments in the Simali National Army have borne fruit, fueling a formidable strike force that leads the offensives of the forces of Somali security against al-Shabab,” president Mohamud said.