Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro has vowed to build a modern, well-trained military force equipped with advanced weaponry during his tenure.
The announcement was made during a Saturday meeting with senior military officials in Hargeisa.
“I have embarked on a political campaign to establish a national army with the latest training and modern weapons, capable of securing Somaliland’s borders, airspace, and seas. My primary goal is to re-establish and modernize the military’s capabilities,” said President Irro.
The president emphasized that a strong military is critical to establishing a dignified government. He reiterated his commitment to fulfilling campaign promises, including a 200% salary increase for soldiers, a move he stated is already underway.
President Irro also revealed plans to draft new military laws, establish an air force and reserves, and integrate civilian forces formed in Somaliland’s eastern regions during recent conflicts.
Irro pledged that he would see to it that his political campaign promises would have to be realized and achieved, especially as concerns the increasing of the salaries of the servicemen.
The Head of State who is also the Commander-in-Chief noted that his plans to have the armed forces and associated security arms sector would have to be bolstered and the personnel renumeration appraised.
He said that the 250% increment on the salaries of the security arms that he had pledged would be gradually implemented despite that tight economy the nation faces.
Of note is the fact that the president revealed that within the plans in the pipeline is the establishment of the country’s air-force division of the armed forces.
The President expressed the sentiments as he addressed the members of the armed forces at the military headquarters on Saturday.
The President toured and inspected the various units which the command consists of, and inaugurated several sectors building structures that have been put up.
The Commander of the National Army, Major General Nuh Ismail Tani welcomed the President while appreciating the visit.
He said, “I decided to come among you today to observe your situation, listen to the information and reports you want to share with me, and to observe and reflect on where I should start the reformation and reconstruction of the National Army”.
He pointed out every country earnestly strive to make its forces a formidable one.
He pledged that he would fulfil his promise made on increasing the salary of the army and reforming it.
“Although the economy of Somaliland is strained owing to the events and happenings in the years 2022, 2023 and 2024 due to reasons we all know, including the fact that the country has been involved in wars, elections and damaged economic infrastructure, the losses following the fires of Waheen and Wajaale, I will implement the increase in the salary of the army that I promised which was two hundred and fifty percent during my term, and I will issue Executive Orders to the effect”, he said.
President Abdirahman Irro said that the political program of WADDANI party in the presidential election on defence and nationalism was streamlining the armed forces, bolstering and modernizing their armaments and ample remunerations.
He said that the land, sea and air defences should be sound and appropriate.
The announcement comes as Somaliland’s military faces challenges following recent defeats by SSC-Khatumo forces in the Sool region, particularly in Las Anod. During these clashes, hundreds of Somaliland soldiers were captured, and military equipment fell into SSC-Khatumo’s hands.
