Hiiraan Online
Thursday, January 14, 2016
MOGADISHU (HOL) – Amid attacks by the Al-Qaeda linked militant group, Somalia which is rebuilding its army depleted by years of conflict and corruption seeks greater support to upgrade its police force which is also struggling to restore peace and order to the horn of Africa nation.
Many countries including Turkey, EU and US have provided support to the Somali police which showed signs of recovery.
Meanwhile, Somalia’s police Chief Gen. Mohamed Sheikh Hassan who is in Turkey for an official visit held high-level talks with top Turkish security officials, urging Turkish police to help Somalia in its struggle to rebuild its army.
Turkey is a major ally for Somalia and continues to undertake major projects in Somalia in a bid to jump-start the Somali economy shattered by the decades old conflict.
Somali police lack basic equipment like police cars modern laws to enforce in the country which has been without government since 1991 after warlords overthrew the central government and plunged the
country a deadly civil war.
Turkish officials have expressed support to Somalia’s police chief’s request, as the two sides agreed security and defense cooperation for the two countries facing attacks by militants.
Once mighty, Somalia’s army destroyed by decades old conflict is rebuilding on the backdrop of the rising power of the Al-Shabab group which continue to carry out attacks across the country, a challenge they would have to overcome.