By Mohamed Abdi - Reporter
MOGADISHU, 10 September 2026 Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre has ordered security agencies to tighten controls on firearms carried in Mogadishu, saying weapons should not be carried in the capital unless being used as part of an authorized security operation.
The directive was issued on Thursday during the weekly Cabinet meeting, which discussed the country’s security situation, operations against Al-Shabaab, government’s performance and plans to standardize Somalia’s national branding across state institutions.
“We do not want weapons carried for show,” Hamza said, adding that firearms should only be carried in the capital when they are part of a security operation. Anyone else carrying weapons should be subjected to established security procedures, he said.
The directive comes as the government continues efforts to tighten security measures in Mogadishu, where authorities have in recent years introduced measures aimed at restricting the unauthorized carrying of weapons and movement of armed vehicles.
During the meeting, the ministries of Internal Security and Defence briefed the Cabinet on the country’s security situation and ongoing military operations.
According to the ministries, government forces have made gains in fighting across parts of the country, killing Al-Shabaab members and commanders.
The government also said the number of Al-Shabaab members surrendering to security forces and those captured during ongoing operations had increased. The Cabinet statement did not provide figures that could independently verify the number of fighters killed, captured or surrendered.
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The prime minister praised the ministries of Internal Security and Defence, saying the country’s overall security situation had reached an encouraging level.
The Cabinet also received a report reviewing and assessing the performance of the DanQaran government, focusing on progress made in implementing its plans and responsibilities.
The assessment is intended to measure progress made on the government’s priorities and the implementation of its mandated responsibilities.
Another issue discussed at the meeting was **Somalia’s National Brand**, with the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism and the Office of the Prime Minister jointly presenting a report on the initiative.
The plan seeks to standardize the symbols and visual identities used by government institutions, creating a unified national identity across federal state bodies.
Hamza praised the committee tasked with developing the National Brand, saying greater consistency in national symbols and visual identity would allow government institutions to adopt a common and coordinated system.
Thursday’s Cabinet meeting focused on two areas the government is currently prioritizing: strengthening security and firearms controls, and standardizing the visual identity of institutions under the federal government.