Mogadishu, Somalia – In a heartfelt and dignified farewell speech, Somalia’s outgoing Minister of Defence, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, marked the official handover of his post by reflecting on over three years of military leadership, highlighting transformative reforms, key battlefield successes, and robust international defence cooperation—especially with Türkiye.

Speaking at the handover ceremony attended by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, Nur stated, “It is a great honour to hand over this responsibility after 3 years, 3 months, and 6 days of service, with pride in the achievements Allah enabled us to reach.”

Among the most notable accomplishments of his tenure:

• Structural Military Reforms: The Ministry of Defence and the Somali National Army (SNA) underwent major modernization, including the establishment of new military commands and the separation of auxiliary services from core defence operations.
• Increased Budget & Local Capacity: The Defence Ministry’s budget was increased by 500%, and over 20,000 new soldiers were trained and integrated into the national army, thanks in part to strategic partners.
• Defeating Terrorist Groups: Large swaths of territory were liberated from terrorist control in the Middle Shabelle, Hiraan, and Galmudug regions, while Mogadishu saw a sharp decline in large-scale attacks.
• Lifting of Arms Embargo: Under his leadership, Somalia succeeded in having the decades-long arms embargo lifted, granting the country the ability to independently acquire defence equipment.

Türkiye’s Strategic Role

One of the most powerful moments of Nur’s speech was his reflection on the defence agreement signed with Türkiye.

This agreement, which grants Türkiye a key role in protecting Somalia’s vast maritime borders, was described by Nur as a legacy-defining achievement and a significant contribution to national sovereignty.

Additionally, Türkiye’s support in training Somali troops and providing advanced aerial combat capabilities—including Bayraktar and Akıncı drones—was instrumental in shifting the balance against extremist forces.

A Legacy of Dedication

Nur thanked President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre for their trust, and expressed pride in defending Somalia’s sovereignty amid harsh criticism and challenges.

Concluding with a message to those who oppose Somalia’s progress, he recited:

“Though your schemes may fail you
Things are not as you imagine
Somalia belongs to Somalis.”

Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur now moves on to serve as Minister of Ports and Maritime Transport, marking his fourth ministerial role in six years—a testament to the continued trust placed in him by the Somali leadership.