EUCAP Somalia and its partners celebrate graduation of fourth cohort of Federal Darwish officers

A new cohort of Federal Darwish officers is now prepared for deployment following the successful graduation from the fourth training cycle. In a graduation ceremony today in Mogadishu, EUCAP Somalia celebrated the graduation of the fourth batch of Federal Darwish Officers under its training programme, in the presence of its partners.

The specialised pre-deployment training programme was designed and implemented by the European Union -specifically through the European Union Capacity Building Mission in Somalia (EUCAP Somalia)- at the request of the Federal Government of Somalia. Conducted at a dedicated police training facility in Mogadishu, the programme saw 120 trainees successfully graduate, including 20 women.

The training was delivered in close coordination with key Somali partners: the Ministry of Internal Security, the Somali Police Force, and the Federal Darwish Command. EUCAP Somalia received support from the European Union Training Mission in Somalia (EUTM-S) on the delivery of certain aspects of the training.

The newly trained Federal Darwish officers are set to be stationed in newly recovered territories. In their vital role as a stabilisation force, they will carry out policing duties with a crucial emphasis on community engagement, human rights compliance, and gender equality. The total amount of Federal Darwish officers trained by EUCAP Somalia amounts to over 400 now, including dozens of women.

The graduation ceremony on 21 April Mogadishu was attended by senior Somali Officials, including the Minister of Internal Security of Somalia, H.E. General Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail, the Somali Police Commissioner, H.E. Mr. General Asad Osman Abdullahi, and the Federal Darwish Commander. EUCAP Somalia's Head of Mission, Mr. Kęstutis Lančinskas, and the Somali Police Commissioner awarded six of the most prominent Federal Darwish graduates, of whom two women, with a certificate.

The presence of the EUTM-S Mission Force Commander, Brigadier General Elio Manes, and other notable members of the international community highlight once again strong collective support for Somalia's peace and security agenda.