EUTM-S Mission Force Commander received by the Commander of the Somali Defense Forces

Mogadishu – 31 of October 2023.

The Mission Force Commander of the European Union Training Mission in Somalia (EUTM-S), Brigadier General Fulvio Poli, was received by the Commander of the Somali Defense Forces, General Ibrahim Sheick Muhyiddin. The meeting, the first since General Muhyiddin took the command of the Somali Armed Forces, was the opportunity to take stock of the situation and to discuss issues regarding the training of the Somali National Army which is being reconstituted and reorganizing. In addressing General Poli, the senior Somali officer wanted to thank the EUTM-S mission for its fundamental role in the training of the Somali military, emphasizing its role as “primary partner”. Subsequently, General Muhyiddin enounced the training gaps that still remaining and specifically requested the organization of new training courses in various subjects, advice for the acquisition of new equipment and vehicles, support for the construction of new military infrastructures and the improvement of the conditions and safety of existing ones. General Muhyiddin also expressed his willingness to meet Lieutenant General Michiel van der Laan, Director of Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC) and Commander of all non-executive European military missions currently in place.
General Poli thanked General Muhyiddin for the flattering words and assured the commitment of all EUTM-S personnel in supporting the restructuring of the Somali Armed Forces.
EUTM-S is constantly working to support Somali Security Forces through the three main pillars approach: training, advice and mentoring.