AMISOM and Somalia call for a coordinated operational approach against Al-Shabaab

MOGADISHU (HAN) April 26, 2016. Public Diplomacy & Regional Security News. Francisco Madeira, Special Representative of the African Union for Somalia and head of the AU mission in Somalia (AMISOM), and Somalia’s Deputy Prime Minister Mohamed Omar Arte met in Mogadishu over the weekend. Their talks revolved round the need for more coordinated collaboration between AMISOM and the Somali National Army operations. Mr. Madeira reiterated the need for closer cooperation while acknowledging the existing gaps between the two forces.

He said “The interaction between AMISOM and the Somali National Security Forces will in the end determine whether we shall be able to overcome Al-­Shabaab” He added “In the absence of such cooperation we are doomed to fail”. Mr. Madeira noted he had the security and defense issue with President Mohamud and noted that some of the pressing issues were related to the command and control structures between AMISOM and the Somali Army.

Deputy Prime Minister Arte also noted that “Sometimes there are operational difficulties but we hope that SNA and AMISOM can address them”. A few weeks ago at a meeting in Djibouti, the troop-contributing countries underlined the need for a more coordinated approach, noting inadequacies in the command and control structures of AMISOM. They also emphasized the need to undertake a review of immediate requirements for AMISOM and SNA for operational effectiveness and call d on relevant partners to enhance coordination in information-sharing order to revitalize offensive operations against Al-Shabaab.




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