MOGADISHU — A confidential initiative involving foreign military expertise has reportedly taken place in central Somalia, aimed at bolstering local security capacities. According to a new report by Africa Intelligence, a group of retired Sudanese military officers has successfully trained approximately 1,000 recruits in Somalia’s Galmudug state.
The operation, which was reportedly characterized as secret, was spearheaded by Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA). The specialized training program relied on the expertise of 15 retired Sudanese instructors who were deployed to oversee the instruction and tactical development of the new recruits.
The training activities were centered in two strategic locations within the Galmudug region: the Adado and Guriel training centers. These areas have previously served as critical logistical and defensive hubs in the ongoing security efforts across central Somalia. The recruitment and subsequent training appear to be part of a broader push to strengthen security forces in regions that have historically faced challenges from insurgent groups.
While official details regarding the specific curriculum or the precise duration of the training remain limited, the involvement of NISA suggests a focus on specialized security operations or counter-terrorism tactics rather than standard infantry basic training. The utilization of retired foreign officers allows for the transfer of veteran military experience to Somali forces without necessarily invoking formal, high-level bilateral military treaties that accompany active-duty deployments.
This development comes at a critical time for Somalia, as the Federal Government continues to ramp up its offensive against Al-Shabaab and prepares to assume full security responsibilities from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). Galmudug has frequently been a frontline state in the fight against militancy, making the generation of capable local forces a priority for national defense strategies.
The collaboration with Sudanese military personnel, even in a retired capacity, highlights the enduring, albeit evolving, security ties between Mogadishu and Khartoum. Historically, Sudan has provided various forms of educational and military support to Somalia, though the current internal conflict in Sudan has complicated official state-to-state engagements.
As of the time of this report, neither the Somali Federal Government nor NISA officials have issued a public statement confirming the specific details of the training program or the deployment of the Sudanese instructors. The integration of these 1,000 newly trained recruits into the regional or national security apparatus is expected to be an immediate focus for military planners in the region.
