Pro-Somali govt militias to be integrated into army

[Deeq A.]

KAMPALA – The Somali government officials are undergoing training in biometric registration to integrate pro-government militias into the national army.

The government officials who are being trained by the African Union Mission in Somalia will register the militias in operating Galmudug.

A statement issued by AMISOM on Friday said the police have already trained in Jubbaland and South West states to perform the same function.

“This particular exercise is being done to capacitate the officers to go to Galmudug state to also register the regional forces there,” Paul Kissi Frimpong, AMISOM Police Deputy Coordinator in charge of Reform, Restructuring and Development was quoted in a statement.

Mr. Frimpong explained that AMISOM Police decided to train Somali officers to be part of the exercise after the Federal Government requested the AU Mission’s aid in registering the pro-government armed groups.

“Apart from the SNA (Somali National Army), some of these states have some security forces that have been supporting them to fight the Al-Shabaab. These forces are outside the SNA and (those are the ones) we are going to register,” he added.

Last month AMISOM and Somali security officers commenced the registration of Darwish militia in Jubbaland to pave way for their integration into the Somali national security forces. The Darwish militia group has been helping the Jubbaland administration fight Al-Shabaab militants and restore law and order.

Mr. Frimpong said the exercise was part of AMISOM’s plans to develop capacity of the Somali national security forces to enable it take over security responsibilities once AMISOM exits.

“We want to capacitate them (Somali officers), give them the skills to be able to assist in the ongoing exercise of registering the regional forces. As you are aware AMISOM is transitioning which means that the Somali security forces must take over all security responsibilities,” said Mr. Frimpong.

Source:  – Daily Monitor