Somalia: Puntland aims to reform its police with EU assistance

GAROWE, Puntland – Senior Security advisor to the Puntland President, Mohamed Abdirahman, along with senior EU officials paid a visit to the state police command in Garowe on Wednesday, Garowe Online reports.

The delegation led by the head of section Peace Building, Democratization and security sector Reform, Thomas Kirchner and Political Advisor for the EU Special Representative to the Horn of Africa, David Korpela assessed the situation of the police.

“With senior EU security and political advisers, we have toured Puntland police command, a visit centered-on the assessment of forces' situation and planning support by EU of rebuilding of the force,” said Abdirahman.

Following the tour, the EU officials held a fruitful meeting with the deputy Puntland police chief, Osman Hassan Awke, head of the state’s Criminal Investigation department (CID) and Nugal police boss, Abdihamid Mohamed Dirir at the headquarters.

The police and CID heads briefed visiting European Union officials on the key challenges facing Puntland police, noting that they are in dire need of the EU assistance which is vital for the reforms of the force to make police more efficient and energetic.

This is a part of the long-standing commitment from the European Union to financially support the Somali security sector, as the country’s armed forces are preparing to take over the security responsibility from the withdrawing African Union soldiers.

GAROWE ONLINE