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Wednesday March 13, 2024
Mogadishu (HOL) — President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, accompanied by Defense Minister Abdikadir Mohamed Nur and the Chief of the National Army, hosted a dinner for officers of the Somalia National Army (SNA) Danab Brigade who participated in the recent US-led military exercise code-named “Justified Accord” in Kenya.
President Mohamud praised their exceptional performance during the military exercise, highlighting that both US trainers and Kenyan officials admired the Somali army’s readiness, courage, and effectiveness.
“Somalia needs everything, but the most crucial aspect is to build a positive reputation, considering the prolonged challenges of terrorism and other issues. I urge you to continue working towards the liberation of our country and to take responsibility for accelerating progress in overcoming these challenges,” President Mohamud emphasized.
Dozens of US-trained Somali Danab commandos participated in the exercise, which involved 1,000 personnel and units from 23 nations. The US military described Justified Accord as its “largest exercise in East Africa.”
Last month, the United States and Somalia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to construct up to five military bases for the Somalia National Army (SNA) Danab Brigade, totalling $100 million.
In 2017, the United States and Somalia agreed to recruit, train, equip, and mentor 3,000 men and women from across Somalia to develop a sustainable light infantry capability within the broader SNA.