By Zakaria Soohoyde - Reporter
Mogadishu, 15 September 2026 Somalia's House of the People has given a first reading to the National Defence Bill submitted by the Ministry of Defence.
The bill has been under preparation and review since 2019 and has now been presented to the 11th Federal Parliament as part of the country's legislative process.
Speaking before the House of the People, State Minister for Defence Omar Ali Abdi said Somalia's armed forces are still operating under laws inherited from the country's former military government, which he said need to be reviewed and updated.
The state minister said Somalia needs a comprehensive defence law that sets out the structure of the armed forces and clearly defines the responsibilities of institutions involved in the country's defence.
"This law will facilitate the establishment of a force capable of fully assuming responsibility for the country's security," Omar Ali Abdi said.
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The Ministry of Defence said the proposed legislation has become necessary due to changes in Somalia's security environment and institutional arrangements in recent years, making it necessary to revise the laws that have traditionally governed the armed forces.
According to the state minister, the bill defines the responsibilities of the various military commands and strengthens accountability within the armed forces.
The Somali National Army was established in 1960 and has for decades operated under laws and institutional frameworks inherited from previous governments.
Work on the National Defence Bill has continued for several years, with the drafting process formally beginning in 2019.
Following the first reading, the bill will proceed to a second and third reading before it can be put to a vote for final approval by Parliament.