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A Somali Perspective<br />
Interview with a Somali Company Commander,<br />
Captain Nur Ali Egal<br />
Captain Nur Ali Egal is an<br />
Infantry Officer of the National<br />
Security Force of <strong>Somalia</strong>.<br />
He is 36 years old, married, with<br />
one child and lives in Mogadishu.<br />
He has previously attended military<br />
courses in Egypt and Ethiopia. He<br />
completed his Company Commander<br />
training at Bihanga Training Camp<br />
in June 2012.<br />
Captain, what are your hopes and dreams?<br />
My hope is to restore peace and stability in my country, protecting it from its enemies. My dream is<br />
to reach a higher rank in the Somali Army in order to be able to give my best contribute to defend my<br />
country and my people.<br />
Considering your previous experience of military courses, how do you rate the programmes<br />
employed by the <strong>EUTM</strong> <strong>Somalia</strong> instructors in Bihanga?<br />
For many years now there has been no training happening in <strong>Somalia</strong> because of the war. I think that<br />
this has badly affected our nation, causing lack of peace and a poor economy. My experience here in<br />
Uganda is that <strong>EUTM</strong> <strong>Somalia</strong> has really given the very best training possible to our Somali trainees<br />
including Company Officers, Junior Officers, NCOs, Train the Trainers (TTT) and recruits in general.<br />
Do you think that instruction on topics such as Gender Affairs, Human Rights, Religion,<br />
and respect for life (especially for children and women) has positively influenced the<br />
trainees outlook and future behaviour?<br />
Yes I am quite sure that the outlook of every soldier has changed and they will act appropriately following<br />
the concepts they have learned here. Moreover, they will apply these in their future lives and careers.<br />
Do you think that the presence of female instructors has helped the female trainees to<br />
understand sensitive topics such as Gender Affairs, Women’s Rights, Female Circumcision,<br />
Child Marriages, Reproductive and Sexual Health?<br />
Yes very much, the availability of <strong>EUTM</strong> <strong>Somalia</strong> female instructors is very important. They have all been<br />
excellent instructors and a source of important education to the Somali females undergoing the training.<br />
It is undoubted that they have benefited from female expertise.<br />
Considering that many of the Somali trainees are very young men and women, how do<br />
you think they are feeling about their future careers as professional soldiers in their<br />
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