Somalia takes major step forward on counter-terrorism

The Somalia Council of Ministers today approved new counter-terrorism legislation intended to bring the country into line with international best practice.

Chairing the weekly Cabinet meeting, His Excellency Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon welcomed the draft legislation, which will now be sent to Parliament for debate and ratification.

“This is a very important piece of legislation that represents a key component of the government’s strategy to fight terrorism comprehensively while taking responsibility of our own borders and the security of our people,” the Prime Minister said.
The new legislation will govern the conduct and structure of the national intelligence and security agencies and covers legal definitions of terrorism.

“We are in the last stages of a military campaign against an enemy that has been reduced to terrorism and guerrilla operations,” the Prime Minister said. “As an emerging democracy it is only appropriate that we now prosecute a counter-terrorism campaign according to the most robust, transparent and credible laws that have the confidence of the Somali public and fully respect international human rights.”

The Council of Ministers also discussed bilateral relations with the UK, including the Foreign Ministry’s nomination of the new Somali Ambassador to Britain H.E. Ambassador Abdullahi Mohamed Ali, who was appointed and will take office immediately ahead of the Somalia Conference to be held in London on 7 May.

ENDS