AU eulogizes progress in securing peace, stability in Somalia

ADDIS ABABA -- The African Union (AU) on Wednesday commended the "significant progress" made to secure peace and stability in Somalia under the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

The AU Peace and Security Council (AU-PSC) said in a statement that it "acknowledged the significant progress made to secure peace and stability in Somalia while noting the fragility of the gains made so far in the political and security situation."

The council also "reiterates the importance of the continued presence of AMISOM in Somalia, as well as the need for predictable and sustainable funding for the AU Mission," said the statement.

The council "commends the continuous progress and immense contribution of AMISOM police component in the provision of training, mentoring and advisory support in building effective federal and regional police capacity," it said.

It also recognized the AMISOM and the Somali National Security forces for the recent operations that led to the liberation of some locations from Al-Shabab, especially in Lower Shabelle and Juba Valley, the Police deployment in Kismayo.

The council also disclosed the decision "to renew the mandate of AMISOM for another 12 months until May 27, 2020, to support the implementation of the Somali Transitional Plan (STP)."

The UN Security Council's Resolution 2431, which was adopted in last year, mainly called for a further reduction in the number of troops, following the first reduction undertaken in December 2017.

AMISOM, back in November last year, had developed a document that will provide an effective framework for the gradual transition of security responsibilities to Somalia's security institutions from the AU mission.

The new concept of operations, which guides AMISOM's activities and operations for the 2018-2021 period, marks the final phase of the AU mission's transition and eventual exit from Somalia.