AMISOM convinced Somali Army can take charge

Ambassador Francisco Madeira speaks at the ‘Workshop on the Lessons Learned for AMISOM to mark 10 years in Somalia at the KCB Leadership Centre in Nairobi. Photo/AMISOM

After a decade of presence in Somalia, the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) is convinced that if well facilitated, the Somali National Army (SNA) can effectively combat the Al Shabaab.

The AU Special Representative for Somalia, Ambassador Francisco Caetano Madeira, who revealed this at a two day meeting that took place late last week said it is upon this that he is rooting for more resources to the SNA to enable it adequately secure Somalia.

"SNA can be able to deter, take on and contain Al Shabaab and create conditions that can make the government provide essential services needed for the people to a lead normal life" Madeira, also the head of AMISOM said.

He was addressing key players in Somalia's peace efforts at a high level meeting in Kenya's capital Nairobi.

The meeting was convened to take stock of the AMISOM's achievements and challenges, in the past 10 years.

"The experience we saw in other conflicts in the continent is that if we empower SNA they will be able to do their job," he emphasized.

Members of the Jubbaland Assembly follow proceedings during a capacity building workshop. AMISOM Photo

He expressed AMISOM's commitment to monitor advances and support the Somali security forces wherever they encounter difficulties.

He cited sector three, in the South West, where he said the SNA has effectively controlled Al Shabaab insurgency. "They (SNA) are doing it effectively and single handedly."

AMISOM has clustered the country into six sectors to be able to facilitate its operations. Sector three draws Bay, Bakool and Gedo regions, with headquarters in Baidoa.

"Politics, political will and political determination are essential to overcome Al Shabaab. But the Somalis themselves will have to come to a political consensus, to what kind of leadership they want, to tackle the terrorist group. We are here to listen to Somalis and give them a push," Madeira stressed.

The AMISOM Head urged the SNA to refocus conditions that can allow the Somali government to create an environment for power-sharing and resource-sharing in order to deal with violent extremism.

The Nairobi Meeting, which also discussed funding towards Somali peace initiatives, was held against a backdrop of reduced funding to programmes.

Speaker after speaker called for increased funding for the Mission to enable it effectively meet its mandate of reconciling and stabilizing the country. Participants at the meeting examined AMISOM's political mandate vis-à-vis the civilian and police components. They also focused on AMISOM's operations, successes and challenges.

The meeting took stock of AMISON's mandate against its output in the last decade and also looked at the Mission's exit strategy.

After the deliberations, the participants came up with a comprehensive 'lessons learned' report, which takes stock of achievements and challenges and key recommendations on the next plan of action.

The report will be discussed by experts later this month and recommendations submitted to the African Union (AU) Commission chairperson at the Union's headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for consideration by the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC).