(24-10-23) MOGADISHU — In a concerted effort to advance security sector reform, the European Union Training Mission in Somalia (EUTM-Somalia) and Swedish Armed Forces officials held a series of strategic meetings with Somali military commanders this week. The discussions focused on enhancing cooperation and bolstering the capacity of Somalia’s security forces.
On Monday, Brig. Gen. Poli, the Mission Force Commander of EUTM-Somalia, met with LtGen Carl-Johan Edström, Chief of Joint Operations for the Swedish Armed Forces. Edström was briefed on the current operations of EUTM-Somalia and also had the opportunity to tour the training centre where Somali personnel undergo training. Additionally, the Swedish official engaged with Kauko Aaltomaa, head of the European Union Capacity Building Mission (EUCAP) in Somalia. The dialogue centred on operational cooperation and the role of Swedish contributions in both EUTM and EUCAP missions.
In a separate meeting on Saturday, Brig. Gen. Poli sat down with Somali Land Forces Commander Brig. Gen. Dayah Abdi Abdulle. Topics of discussion included proposed training courses for the Somali National Army, plans for the delivery of specialized vehicles, and the construction of a new Army Headquarters and a Military Academy.
The meetings align with wider security initiatives in Somalia, where the government has been actively pushing back against the militant group Al-Shabaab. This campaign has resulted in the capture of substantial territory in the southern and central regions of the country since last year.
Halqabsi News
