Amisom Faces Logistical, Technical Challenges, Mutende Says

The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) is facing logistical challenges that affect its ability to effectively carry out its mandate, Acting Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia Lydia Wanyoto Mutende said Wednesday (August 13th).

“AMISOM continues to operate without the necessary force enablers and force multipliers required for an operation of this nature,” she said during a meeting with UN Security Council representatives in Mogadishu. “Further, the mission operates with only a minimal maritime capability and without dedicated maritime assets.”

“It has also become clear that following the conduct of joint AMISOM and [Somali National Army] operations, the pace at which other activities are undertaken in newly recovered areas is too slow to sustain the security gains which have been made,” she said.

Mutende called for more capacity building support for the Somali Police Force, which she argued is necessary for protecting Somali citizens and officials throughout the country.

Government employees and members of parliament require police protection in the face of assassination threats from al-Shabaab, and citizens in newly liberated areas need police assistance to maintain fragile improvements in security, she said.

“Increased police activity and police presence is clearly required,” she said.

allafrica.com