Security talks note AMISOM progress in degrading 'al-Shabaab'

Sunday September 6, 2015

AMISOM Police Commissioner Anand Pillay [left] looks on at the meeting, chaired by the AU Commissioner for Peace Security, Ambassador Smail Chergui, and attended by Chiefs of Defense Staff (CDS) and Chiefs of Police of Troop and Police Contributing Countries (Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, Sierra Leone) and the Federal Government of Somalia.

The joint Military Operations Coordination Committee (MOCC) and the African Union Police Strategic Support Group (PSSG) for AU peace support operations has convened its most recent 16th meeting in Addis Ababa.

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The meeting, chaired by the AU Commissioner for Peace Security, Ambassador Smail Chergui, was attended by Chiefs of Defense Staff (CDS) and Chiefs of Police of Troop and Police Contributing Countries (Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, Sierra Leone) and the Federal Government of Somalia. Representatives of partner countries and institutions (European Union, Inter-Governmental Authority on Development, United Kingdom, United States of America, United Nations) also participated in the meeting.

The MOCC/ PSSG considered the Report of the Ad-hoc Committee of Experts which had undertaken an assessment from 10 to 18 August 2015 on the enhancement of AMISOM operations.

The key recommendations of the committee of experts included the need for adherence to the AMISOM chain of command, increased mobility, force protection as well as an increased UNSOA support package compatible to AMISOM operational requirements.

The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange views on the situation in Somalia, as well as make decisions on the findings and recommendations of the Ad-hoc Committee of Experts.

The meeting further presented an opportunity to deliberate on progress in the development of the revised AMISOM Concept of Operations (CONOPs).

The participants noted the tremendous progress made by AMISOM in degrading Al Shabaab capabilities.

The MOCC/PSSG appreciated the role played by Troop and Police Contributing Countries in support of the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) towards the achievement of the political process in Somalia, as well as the support provided to AMISOM by the UN through UNSOA.

The MOCC/PSSG noted the progress made in generation of Air Assets for AMISOM and reiterated the urgency of generating additional force multipliers and enablers to enhance AMISOM efficiency.

They stressed the need for implementation of the next phase of offensive operations to neutralize Al Shabaab and also called for the full participation of the Somali National Army (SNA) and the Somali Police Force (SPF) in the renewed efforts.

Whilst expressing appreciation to the international partners for the assistance extended so far to AMISOM and the SNA and SPF, the MOCC/ PSSG called for enhanced and continued support to the FGS especially the SNA and SPF.

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