Somalia concludes first national conference on internal security governance

Thursday September 3, 2026

Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali Ministry of Internal Security on Wednesday concluded the National Internal Security Governance and Coordination Conference, a two-day meeting focused on strengthening oversight, coordination and reform across the country’s internal security sector.

The conference was held Sept. 1-2 at The Hangar in Mogadishu under the theme “Strengthening governance of the internal security sector.”

The meeting focused on improving governance and oversight of internal security agencies, deepening coordination between institutions and building a financially sustainable and self-reliant security sector.

Delegates took part in three technical sessions covering oversight of internal security institutions, inter-agency and ministerial coordination, and security sector reform and affordability.

The first session examined the Ministry of Internal Security’s oversight role over the Somali Police Force, the National Intelligence and Security Agency and the Immigration and Citizenship Agency.

Participants discussed reporting lines, accountability, performance monitoring and the balance between operational autonomy and oversight by the ministry and Parliament.

The second session focused on coordination gaps between the ministry, its agencies and the wider security architecture.

Discussions also covered federal and federal member state coordination on internal security, mechanisms for cooperation, deconfliction of mandates, and information and intelligence sharing.

The third session addressed efforts to build an affordable and sustainable security sector, including right-sizing security forces, maximizing value from existing spending, ensuring financial sustainability and reducing donor dependency.

“The discussions were aligned with the National Security Architecture and the Security Sector Development Plan in the context of the AUSSOM transition,” the ministry noted.

“This conference marks a milestone in Somalia’s security sector, as the first conference ever dedicated entirely to internal security,” the conference statement said. “Its outcomes underscore the depth of commitment shown by Somalia’s security institutions to strengthening internal security across the country.”

The statement said the work would continue through dedicated initiatives aimed at turning the commitments made during the conference into tangible improvements in Somalia’s internal security.

The Ministry of Internal Security emphasized it was prepared to lead the process, while the participation of security agencies and institutions reflected a shared commitment to translating recommendations into practical steps.

Officials said the conference aimed to strengthen accountability, coordination and institutional capacity across the security sector.

The meeting brought together federal and federal member state security institutions, the Federal Parliament and key government ministries, including Interior, Defence, and Endowments and Islamic Affairs.

International partners also attended, including representatives from the United Nations Transition Mission in Somalia, the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia, diplomatic missions, security experts and other stakeholders.