In 2025, Somalia recorded an improved civilian-police ties, promoted a more preventive approach to safety and strengthened institutional accountability by establishing 10 Local Police Partnership Boards nationwide and empowering nearly 3,000 police officers and community members across the country through enhanced training and support.

This was observed by a joint meeting of the Government and UNDP that reviewed the progress made through the Joint Police Programme Phase II (JPP II) in 2025. Anchored in Somalia’s New Policing Model and supported by the European Union and the United Kingdom, JPP II is strengthening professionalism, promoting human rights and gender equality, and rebuilding civilian-police ties. As the programme enters its final year, these achievements were approved by the JPP Steering Committee meeting, which also endorsed the 2026 plan to further expand the ongoing training and capacity enhancement activities.

“Our priorities are not abstract ideas, they are practical pathways to peace and security,” said Federal Minister of Internal Security Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail (Fartaag). “This programme contributes directly to public safety, institutional accountability, and trust between citizens and the police. I commend our partners for their perseverance and urge continued support as we move toward 2026.” District level perception surveys conducted by the project indicated that the programme contributed to a measurable increase in public confidence.

A cornerstone of this progress is the rollout of Local Police Partnership Boards, inclusive platforms that bring police officers together with community elders, women, youth, and civil society to jointly identify safety concerns, prevent crime, and strengthen accountability. These boards are changing how security is delivered, moving from reaction to prevention, from distance to dialogue.

UNDP Somalia Resident Representative Lionel Laurens underscored the importance of the Steering Committee as the programme enters its final phase.

“This is a strategic endeavour aimed at strengthening police professionalism, enhancing capacity, and building trust with communities,” Laurens said. “The Steering Committee is where we reflect honestly on progress, identify gaps, and agree on corrective actions. As we enter the final year, our focus must be on acceleration, efficiency, and achieving sustainable impact.”

He also emphasized that lessons learned from earlier phases would guide more effective delivery in 2026.

The European Union underscored the programme’s impact on institutional reform and public confidence.

“As we look ahead, it is vital to continue strengthening the legal and institutional framework for policing,” said Hadrien Maillard, EU Representative. “Clear roles and responsibilities improve coordination, reinforce accountability, and allow public trust to grow. Professional policing is not only about skills and equipment—it is about integrity, transparency, and responsibility to the communities being served.”

The United Kingdom highlighted the importance of delivering a strong legacy as JPP II enters its final year.
“Community policing is a cornerstone of stability and security. This final year must demonstrate strong delivery and a lasting legacy—showing how security can be delivered by Somalis, for Somalis,” said Paul-André Wilton, UK Representative addressing the meeting which was co-chaired by the Minister of Internal Security, UNDP Somalia Resident Representative Lionel Laurens, and UNTMIS’s Rule of Law and Security Institutions Group Head Nasrin Khan. The meeting also brought together ministers from Federal Member States, international partners, and security institutions.

Participants included representatives from the European Union, United Kingdom, UNTMIS, UN Women, EUCAP, IOM, the Somali Federal Police Force, and international police experts, reflecting the breadth of commitment behind Somalia’s policing reform.

Gender inclusion has remained central throughout implementation. More than 578 participants, most of them women, engaged in gender equality workshops and public forums aimed at strengthening women’s recruitment, leadership, and retention within the police service.