AU and UN Special Envoys on Funding Consultations for AMISOM make an assessment visit to Somalia

[Deeq A.]

Mogadishu (AMISOM) – The Special Envoys on Funding Consultations for the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), made a day’s visit to Mogadishu today, to discuss sustainable funding to peace operations in the Horn of Africa country.

Ramtane Lamamra and Jean-Marie Guehenno, the Special Envoys from the African Union and the United Nations respectively, emphasized a gradual shift of security responsibilities from AMISOM to the Somali security forces, without retrogressing the progress already made in securing the country.

“It is very important that gradual shift from AMISOM to the Somali authorities happens in a way that doesn’t jeopardize all the efforts that have been made so far,” said UN Envoy Guehenno.

Mr. Guéhenno acknowledged the presence of a multiplicity of actors who are supporting security and peacebuilding programmes in Somalia and highlighted their importance towards the achievement of sustainable peace.

“In the coming phase, the coordination between all these actors is more important than ever and it is of course a very sensitive issue,” he remarked.

The two Special Envoys met with the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia H.E Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo, the Prime Minister H.E Hassan Ali Khaire, the AU and UN Special Representatives for Somalia, Francisco Caetano Madeira and Michael Keating respectively, ambassadors from the Troop Contributing Countries to AMISOM, who are accredited to Somalia, and European Union officials.

Discussions with these teams focused on achieving a smooth transition of the security responsibility from AMISOM to the Somali security forces.

The Envoys’ assessment visit to Somalia is part of ongoing consultations on peace support operations for AMISOM, spearheaded by the African Union and the UN.

The AU Special Representative for Somalia Ambassador Francisco Caetano Madeira expressed concern that unpredictable funding to AMISOM, may have far reaching implications on Somalia.

“It is no longer an issue of charity. Supporting SNA or AMISOM is not charity at all. Success of security in Somalia, in all its aspects, is success for everything, including international business,” Madeira said.

Upon completion of their assessment, the Envoys will submit a report, which will inform decisions of the African Union Commission and the UN, on the level of funding and provision of logistical support to AMISOM.

Source: AMISOM