(20-05-23) MOGADISHU – Somali Minister of Defense, Abdulkadir Mohamed Noor, confirmed the death of two Somali soldiers, identified as Mohamed Hussein and Mohamed Mumin, who passed away while undergoing military training in Uganda.
Addressing the incident on Friday, the minister said, “Our nation mourns the loss of these brave men who devoted themselves to the protection and prosperity of Somalia. Their dedication to the service will not be forgotten.”
The tragic news emerged amidst a broader discussion surrounding the continuous military training program in Uganda, part of the strategic initiative by the Somali government to bolster its armed forces, with financial backing from the UAE. The Defense Minister used this platform to issue an urgent warning about the increased use of drugs and alcohol among the newly trained forces, highlighting that the notorious Al-Shabaab militant group is allegedly financing these harmful habits to compromise national security.
“Al-Shabaab is investing in the proliferation of drugs and alcohol among our forces. I implore our servicemen and servicewomen to abstain from these substances and uphold the integrity of our defence line,” cautioned Minister Noor.
These remarks were given additional weight following the return of the body of Muhamud Hassan Noor 19, a soldier trained in Uganda earlier this month. The soldier’s body was repatriated with several organs missing, igniting a significant public debate regarding the conditions and safety of the troops undergoing training overseas.
The tragic death of the two soldiers and the troubling reports of substance abuse among the troops are putting the Somali government’s military training program under close scrutiny. The country, as well as the international community, awaits a thorough investigation into these incidents.
