PRESS RELEASE

The European Union, together with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UN Women, UN Transitional Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS), Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and Federal Member States (FMS), launched the second phase of the Joint Police Programme (JPP2), an initiative aimed at enhancing the efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability of Somalia's police services. The programme underscores a strong commitment to strengthening security and fostering trust between police institutions and Somali citizens. 

Building on the successes of the first phase, the programme adopts a people-centered approach to police reform. With EUR 9M (USD 9.47M) in funding from the European Union, JPP2 supports both federal and state-level police institutions, aligning with Somalia’s New Policing Model and the National Security Architecture.

To be completed by 2026, JPP2 will focus on professionalizing the Somali Police Force through training of high-level police officials and personnel to ensure local populations have increased access to gender-responsive security and policing services.

Strengthening the trust and cooperation between the FGS and FMS police forces and local communities, including in fragile and newly recovered areas, is critical to the success of ongoing stabilization support provided to Somalia. The programme will contribute to this goal through institutionalization of a community security approach. 

JPP2 will contribute to empowering Somalis, especially women, minorities, and people vulnerable to violence, climate change and displacement, to articulate their security needs to power-holders and duty bearers by organizing police-community outreach and engagements in all member states. 

“The European Union is a major partner for Somalia’s justice, police and rule of law sector. Our support to the Joint Police Programme will be complemented by the activities of EUCAP Somalia, who are building the capacity of the Somali police force, while the Joint Justice and Corrections Programme will strengthen Somalia’s justice chain as a whole. We look forward to continue collaborating with the FGS to strengthen the efficiency, effectiveness, transparency, and accountability of police service delivery to Somali citizens is a key objective to this end,” said EU Ambassador, Karin Johansson.

 “This programme represents a critical step towards enhancing professionalism and accountability of the Somali Police Force to provide security and stability to the population, enhancing trust and support by the communities it serves,” said UNDP Representative Lionel Laurens. “By placing human rights and gender responsiveness at the center of police reforms with a firm commitment to increasing women’s representation and retention within the police force, all key stakeholders of the programme are joining hands to create safer and more inclusive communities across Somalia.” 

“We are thankful to UNDP and EU for providing continued support to reform and strengthen Somalia’s security sector. We hope to achieve new heights through the second phase of the police programme. While this support is invaluable and deeply appreciated, the needs on the ground remain immense. I encourage all our international partners to build on this foundation by stepping in and stepping up their support during this critical phase of Somalia’s recovery,” Minister Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail, Ministry of Internal Security, Federal Government of Somalia. 

“The JPP is a great example of strengthening Somalia's federated policing model through cooperation and collaboration. UNTMIS is proud to participate in the next phase of the programme to help improve services to the people of Somalia, especially for gender-based crimes,” said Nasrin Khan, Director, Rule of Law and Security Institutions Group (ROLSIG), UNTMIS.

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Read more about the project: https://www.undp.org/somalia/projects/joint-police-programme-phase-2  

Tweet on the launch of JPP2: https://x.com/UNDPSomalia/status/1866509553514553425

CONTACTS FOR PRESS INQUIRIES:

· Kamal Raj Sigdel, UNDP Somalia | Email: kamal.sigdel@undp.org  | Cell: +252 771640437

· Abdikadir ASKAR, Delegation of the EU to Somalia | E-mail: Abdikadir-Dayib-Askar.ABOKOR@eeas.europa.eu

· Abdi Noor, UN Women Somalia | Email: abdi.noor@unwomen.org | Cell: +252 61 2711788

· Abdilatif Maalim, UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Somalia, Email: abdilatif.adan@un.org | Cell +254 723 040125