PREASE RELEASE
The President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, also the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Dr. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud chaired an extraordinary meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) on 18 July 2024 to address the recent incident in the Galguduud region of Galmudug.
During the meeting, reports were presented by the security agencies and the National Security Advisor regarding the illicit weapons smuggled and seized by armed militias in the northern Galguduud region of Galmudug.
Following thorough discussion, the Council issued several directives:
- The Council reiterated that the Central Monitoring Department (CMD) at the Office of
National Security (established on Presidential Decree.142) continues to serve as an important institution which addresses the pressing need for oversight and responsible weapons and ammunition management across Somalia.
- The Ministry of Internal Security in collaboration with the other security agencies was
instructed to submit a detailed report and recommendations within two weeks concerning the incident, identifying those responsible, and proposing strict measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
- The Council agreed to impose a total ban on the trade, smuggling, and any other
business related to weapons and ammunitions within the country by non-state actors in accordance within the existing legal frameworks.
- The Council agreed to urgently present the Weapons Procurement Policy to the Council
of Ministers of the FGS.
- The Ministry of Justice and law enforcement authorities were tasked to swiftly
bring all the perpetrators involved in these illegal activities to justice.
Additionally, H.E. President Dr. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud emphasised the critical importance of strictly implementing the Arms and Ammunition Control Procedures in Somalia. He highlighted that the success in lifting the arms embargo was fundamentally contingent upon the effective implementation of the management of military supplies and arms for the Somali National Security Forces.
The meeting was attended by PM H.E Hamza Abdi Barre, Deputy Prime Minister H.E Salah Ahmed Jama, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Hassan Moallim, Minister of Interior, Federal Affairs, and Reconciliation Ali Yussuf Ali, Minister of Defense Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, Minister of Finance Bihi Iman Ige, State Minister of Internal Security Mohamed Ali Hagaa, Commander of Somali National Armed Forces Ibrahim Sheikh Muhyadin, Director of National Intelligence and Security Agency Abdullahi Mohamed Ali, Commissioner of Somali Police Force Sulub Ahmed Firin,
