(17 April 2024) MOGADISHU (Halqabsi News) — The Somali government has launched an important reform in its military recruitment process, emphasizing a stringent no-drug policy to combat inefficiency and corruption within its ranks, authorities announced Wednesday. This initiative comes as part of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s broader strategy to strengthen national security and combat terrorism more effectively.
Historically, drug abuse among soldiers has severely hampered the military’s performance, making them susceptible to attacks by militant groups such as Al-Shabaab. According to President Mohamud, the presence of drugs within the military has not only decreased combat readiness but also indirectly aided terrorists.
“The introduction of a drug-free recruitment criterion is a critical step in restoring the integrity and capability of our armed forces,” President Mohamud said in a statement to the troops. He emphasised that any soldier found using drugs would be deemed a collaborator with terrorist entities and would be subject to immediate dismissal.
This policy shift follows revelations that drug use was a significant factor in several militant ambushes on Somali forces in 2023. Terrorists reportedly exploited the soldiers’ drug-induced vulnerabilities to launch successful attacks.
The president’s office reported that the new drug-free policy is the first phase of a comprehensive anti-terrorism plan aimed at revamping the military’s operational effectiveness. “What breaks or kills the army is addiction. A man who takes over an addiction in the army and serves Al-Shabaab is an enemy,” President Mohamud stated, expressing his firm stance on the issue.
The move has been widely endorsed as a key reform that will equip the Somali military to better tackle the ongoing threats from terrorism and ensure the security of the nation.
Halqabsi News
