On 21 January 2014, ahead of the vote of confidence on the new Council of Ministers, Ahmed presented his government program to the Federal Parliament. He indicated that the incoming administration's focus would be on strengthening government institutions, particularly in the security sector. Toward this end, Ahmed announced that the number of active Somali military soldiers would be increased to 28,000, including 25,000 infantrymen, 2,000 naval officers, and 1,000 air force officers. He also vowed to dislodge militants from their remaining strongholds in southern Somalia.
