Somali Forces Are Planning to Take Lead for Country’s Security

MOGADISHU, SOMALIA - Somali government forces are set to take the lead in maintaining the country’s security by the end of this year, according to Somali and African Union officials who met in Mogadishu this week.  

The parties agreed to forge ahead despite concerns about the Somali parliament's controversial extension of the president's mandate for another two years. The conference marked an important milestone on the road toward peace and stability in Somalia, which has struggled with violence and lawlessness for decades. Attending the meeting were representatives from the Federal Government of Somalia, military commanders from the Somali National Army (SNA) and African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), and officials from the U.N. support office in the country.