THE African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) has said it will withdraw a thousand troops by February, next year, from the country as part of ongoing transition programme.
Special Representative of the Chairperson of AU for Somalia Ambassador Francisco Madeira stated this during an interaction with African reporters, who were in the country for a first hand assessment of progress being made in the country.
According to Madeira, the mission had withdrawn one thousand troops last December in line with resolution 2431 of the United Nations (UN) Security Council, which agreed with AU that withdrawal of AMISOM from Somalia should be conducted in gradual and pushed manner, to ensure that the security gains made so far were not lost.
He said: “You have come at the time when focus of the mission is on the transition from Somalia. Our mandate in Somalia was renewed by the UN Security Council until May 2019 in its resolution 2431 of 2018. This same resolution agreed with the position of the African Union that the withdrawal of AMISOM from Somalia should be conducted in gradual and pushed manner, to ensure that the security gains made so far are not lost.
“The drawdown from Somalia began in December 2017, with 1000 troops withdrawn and will continue with another 1000 withdrawn at the end of February 2019.
“In line with the transition plan, the following are our current priorities: The capture of the territory that remains under the control of Al Shabaab, specifically the Jubba Valley. This will be through joint operations with the Somali National Army and Somali Police Force.
“We have to clear major roads linking cities. Even though the major towns are liberated from Al Shabaab control, the terrorists continue to harbour hide towns in remote areas. We need to clear those routes to allow free movement of people and goods.
“The training and mentorship for the Somali National Army and Somali Police Force continues as a key priority. This has been ongoing, but will be intensified.
“All these are undertaken in addition to continued support to the Federal Government of Somalia and the Federal states, jointly working towards a safer and more secured Somalia.”
He said Somalia has experienced an economic boom, adding that Somalis are returning home, the real estate sector booming and the country’s economy being assessed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which is supporting effort towards implementation of key reforms, including introduction of a new currency.
The Nation reports that the war-torn country with decades of no education was finding its feet as 23,000 students sat for this year’s Secondary School Examination.
This, according to Madeira, was very commendable giving that only about seven thousand sat for the same examination in June 2016.
“In terms of social services, key sectors such as education are showing signs of hope for the first time in decades. In June 2016, an estimated 7000 sat their national exams for secondary school level for the first time in 25 years. This year, the number of students more than doubled with 23,000 students sitting the exams.
“The other key milestone for AMISOM is facilitating an environment that has enabled members of the wider international community to come and engage actively in Somalia. Notably, the UN, the European Union (EU) and several embassies not only have presence in Somalia, but have been able to engage in activities across Somalia.
“This was previously unheard of, with all organisations operating from Nairobi and other regional capitals.
“The police officers from Ghana and Nigeria are playing a key role here as you will witness, in building capacity for the Somali police, mentoring them and supporting restoration of the rule of law in different parts of the country.
“The African Union is grateful to countries such as your own, which are playing a foundation role here in Somalia. AMISOM has been in Somalia for 11 years, in what has been a momentous and progressive journey.
“On the political scene, AMISOM has created an increasingly more secure environment, enabling significant progress in the political development of the country. Today, Somalia has a National Constitution, an elected parliament and president, federal states, all with leadership and functional legislative bodies.
“2016 saw elections conducted in all regional states for members of parliament and the process was completed in 2017 without any major incident. This particular election was historic for Somalia, because for the first time in over two decades, a section of the general population, including the youth, women participated in choosing their leaders.
“In 2012, 135 elders chose the MPs but this time, over 14,000 delegates participated in this election, spread across the region in Jubbaland, Southwest, Hirshabelle, Galmudug, Puntland, Somaliland ( whose elections were held in Mogadishu) and Banadiir. AMISOM troops and police officers were deployed in all states except Puntland.
“Political campaign and subsequently the elections were all held without any incident. Preparations are already underway for the next election in 2020.
“AMISOM has since 2007 captured all the major towns and ports in Somalia including Mogadishu, Baioda, Kismayo, Barawe and Beletweyne. These were liberated in operations conducted jointly with Somali National Army (SNA), thus enabling hands-on training.
“AMISOM has undertaken extensive capacity building for the Somali National army and police force. In addition to training, joint operations have been conducted, as well as hands-on mentoring for the forces.
“To stabilize areas recovered from Al Shabaab, AMISOM undertakes quick impacts project aimed at meeting some of the needs of the communities, including construction of schools and hospitals, repair and construction of police stations, provision of safe water and repair of roads, among others.”
On the challenges being faced, he said a major one was the absence of air assets for the troops, noting that Somalia was vast by nature and movement by road with a limited number of troops was very challenging.
“We also need efficient Somali National Army and Somali Police Force to hold territory to free AMISOM troops to undertake operations, especially now as the transition from Somalia begins. AMISOM has actively been involved in training and mentorship of Somali National Security Forces, these are however, in urgent need of the necessary equipment to take charge of the security of this country.
“They need to be supported to acquire basic facilities including timely payment of salaries and stipends, provisions, establishment of barracks, among other critical needs.
“We are also in urgent need of technology to enable us detect and diffuse Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) which are the weapons of choice for the terrorists and they have been very destructive,” said Madeira.
