Ministers from troop contributing countries to AMISOM meet in Djibout

Addis Ababa, February 27, 2016 (FBC) – A Ministerial meeting of troop contributing countries to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) is underway in Djibouti ahead of the Heads of State Summit due to take place tomorrow.

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Discussions are aimed at reviewing and revamping the mission’s operations in Somalia, working in-conjunction with the Federal Government of Somalia and Somali National Security Forces.

The meeting is co-chaired by the Djibouti Defense Minister Hassan Dharar Hufane, and the AU Commissioner for Peace and Security Ambassador Smail Chergui.

The Special Representative of the African Union Commission Chairperson in Somalia (SRCC) and Head of AMISOM Ambassador Francisco Caetano Madeira is attending the meeting alongside the Acting AMISOM Force Commander Maj. General Mohammedesha Zeyinu and AMISOM Police Chief of Staff Rex Dundun.

Delegates at the meeting include representatives from the Federal Government of Somalia, the United Nations and Somalia’s key development partners.

The meeting will consider a report from the African Union Chairperson and the Military Operations Coordination Committee (MOCC) of AMISOM and make recommendations for revamped operations geared towards improving the security in Somalia and consolidating gains made.

“Despite the progress made, a lot more needs to be done for sustained peace in Somalia. We must work together to eliminate Al-Shabaab from Somalia and from the region. The political will is evident from this meeting and we need to double our efforts for total eradication of Al-Shabaab,” stated Djibouti Defence Minister Hassan Dharar Hufane in his address to the ministerial meeting.

The Somali Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdisalan Omar Hadle thanked the Somali National Army and AMISOM for the sacrifices they have made for the sake of peace in the horn of Africa country. He urged for elaborate joint planning between the Somali National Army and AMISOM and the establishment of a dynamic and agile task force to tackle fleeing Al-Shabaab elements.

The AU Commissioner for Peace and Security Smail Chergui said aggressive operations against Al-Shabaab militants must be fast tracked. He urged delegates attending the ministerial meeting to come up with recommendations to the Heads of State that will ensure adequate resources are apportioned to the military operations. He further emphasized that troops must be supported to execute their mandate with the necessary force enablers and multipliers.

“We have to make recommendations to the Heads of State that will ensure adequate resources for the mission to execute its mandate. Any decrease of resources will impact on the gains realized so far. As discussions continue towards addressing logistical needs and reinforcement of the Somali National Army, the operations must continue,” he stressed.

Recommendations from the Ministerial Meeting will be presented to the Heads of State tomorrow, for consideration.