Somalia’s path to self-reliance in national security received a major boost today with the handover of assorted, life-saving equipment to counter the persistent threat of improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

“Given the nature of the IED threat here in Somalia, it’s essential that we sustain the capabilities of the national security forces and particularly so, now that we’re thinking about the eventual and gradual withdrawal of the AU (African Union) forces,” the Director of the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), Ilene Cohn, said during the event.

The handover ceremony took place in Mogadishu. Representing the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) was its State Minister of Defence, Omar Ali Abdi, along with the Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, General Madey Nurey, and other senior officers from the Somali National Army.

“We need more training and equipment because we are engaged in a bitter war with our enemy who uses mines on the roads as a weapon of choice. The mines slow us down, and if we can overcome them, we’ll be able to liberate more areas,” Minister Abdi said in his remarks to the gathering, referring to the Al-Shabaab terrorist group.