MOGADISHU, Somalia – Somalia marked a major milestone in its security sector on Monday with the inaugural graduation of the federal-level Darawish forces, trained under the European Union Capacity Building Mission in Somalia.
The historic ceremony, held in the capital Mogadishu, was attended by high-level dignitaries including Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama and European Union Ambassador to Somalia Karin Johansson — highlighting the country’s growing commitment to stabilization and professionalization of its security institutions.
Deputy Prime Minister Salah Jama hailed the EU’s ongoing support, stating that the bloc has played a “critical role” in Somalia’s path to peace and resilience. “Today is not only a graduation — it is a powerful symbol of our nation’s progress,” he said.
Ambassador Karin Johansson expressed confidence that the newly graduated Darawish will bolster peace and security nationwide. “This milestone reflects the strength of EU-Somalia cooperation in building robust, accountable security forces,” she noted.
EUCAP Somalia Head of Mission Kęstutis Lančinskas described the graduation as a “key step” in advancing national security, reaffirming the mission’s long-term commitment to capacity-building across the country’s security sector. He also announced that a new cohort of Darawish recruits will begin training in June 2025 under the EU-backed initiative.
The newly trained forces are part of the EU’s broader security support in Somalia, which includes maritime security, police development, and specialized military training.
