Mogadishu, SONNA – Ninety-nine Federal Darwish trainees graduated on 17 September in a ceremony held at the International Compound in Mogadishu, attended by senior Somali leaders and international partners.
The event was graced by the Deputy Prime Minister, H.E. Salah Ahmed Jama, alongside the Minister of Internal Security, Senator General Abdullahi Hassan Fartaag, Somali Police Commissioner General Asad Abdullahi, his Deputy Brigadier General Osman Abdullahi Mohamed (Kaniif), European Union Ambassador to Somalia Francesca Di Mauro, Italian Ambassador Pier Mario Daccò Coppi, UK Ambassador Charles King, US Ambassador Richard H. Riley, Head of EUCAP Somalia Kęstutis Lančinskas, and other high-ranking officials.
The three-month programme was designed and delivered by EUCAP Somalia in close coordination with the Ministry of Internal Security, the Somali Police Force, and the Federal Darwish Headquarters. It follows a successful pilot earlier this year, which trained 100 officers.
At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, the European Union has supported the training of this second cohort to ensure their readiness for deployment. The new Federal Darwish officers will be dispatched to newly liberated areas, where they will serve as a stabilization force, conduct civil policing, and engage in community-oriented policing while upholding human rights and gender-sensitive standards.
Deputy Prime Minister Salah Jama underlined the significance of the partnership, stating:
“We value our close cooperation with EUCAP Somalia. This graduation ceremony of Federal Darwish officers is an example of our common efforts toward a more secure and stable Somalia.”
EUCAP Somalia’s Head of Mission, Kęstutis Lančinskas, highlighted the progress made:
“Following the success of our pilot training, this first full-fledged training programme demonstrates the steady progress of our partnership and the growing capacity of Somalia’s security institutions.”
Beyond training, EUCAP Somalia has been equipping the Federal Darwish with operational support, including vehicles and uniforms, to ensure their swift deployment and readiness.
The ceremony brought together Somalia’s leadership and its international partners, reaffirming their shared commitment to strengthening Somalia’s security and advancing broader governance priorities.
