EU pledges Sh10.8 billion to Amison troops in Somalia

The European Union has pledged to increase its funding for Amison forces in Somalia by Sh10.8 billion up to 2013. The EU is also seeking to strengthen its military presence in the Horn of Africa and the Indian Ocean waters up to 2014 to help contain the threats posed by terror and piracy groups.

The President of the European Council Herman van Rompuy disclosed this at a meeting with Prime Minister Raila Odinga at the council’s headquarters in Brussels. Raila had appealed to the European Union and other international blocks to stay committed to the cause of restoring stability in Somalia.

The PM said there was “light at the end of the long tunnel” of Somalia crisis and the international community “must not let the opportunity slip by” again. The premier said stabilisation of Somalia must include investment in improving livelihoods in the Horn of Africa, including northern Kenya which has paid steep price for Somalia chaos.

He thanked the EU for its consistency in seeking a lasting solution to the instability in Somalia. Raila appealed to the international community to follow through the declaration of the Nairobi Initiative on drought and famine in the Horn of Africa. Saying EU and Kenya have similar stand on environmental issues, the PM called for collaboration in development of green energy and environmental conservation.

The PM also appealed to the EU to allow members of the East Africa Community to sign the Economic Partnership Agreement as a bloc and not as individual states. Rompuy praised Kenya’s role in fostering peace, stability and development in the Horn of Africa. “It is my hope that by combining our efforts we can contribute to greater security in Somalia and to restore peace and stability in this country,” he said.

The Star