MOGADISHU, (Banaadir24) – Somalia’s federal government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Wednesday endorsed a new police reform blueprint aimed at strengthening law enforcement capacity and improving community trust in policing.

The plan, known as the Joint Police Programme II (JPP II) 2025 workplan, was unveiled at a ceremony in Mogadishu co-chaired by Somalia’s Minister of Internal Security and UNDP’s resident representative.

The programme, supported by the European Union and the United Kingdom, will focus on expanding community-based policing models, increasing accountability in service delivery, and promoting gender-inclusive recruitment across Somali police institutions.

“Today marks a critical milestone in building a more responsive, professional, and people-centered police force,” said Minister Mohamed Ahmed Sheikh Ali Doodishe, who described the initiative as central to Somalia’s broader state-building and stabilization goals.

UNDP officials said the program builds on lessons from previous phases and aims to address gaps in public safety while aligning with federal and state-level reform priorities.

Despite persistent security threats from al Shabaab insurgents, Somalia has made slow but steady progress in rebuilding core institutions, including its police and justice systems.

Western donors have channeled millions of dollars into security sector reforms over the past decade, seeking to reduce reliance on African Union peacekeepers and foster long-term stability in the Horn of Africa nation.

The JPP II will also prioritize training, infrastructure support, and coordination between federal and regional forces, according to officials familiar with the plan.

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