15/10/2013 Mareeg.com- Mogadishu – 25nd, October 2013: The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the
African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, Ambassador Mahamat Saleh Annadif today
hosted African Union’s Peace and Security Council (PSC) on a historic first field
visit to Mogadishu.
The PSC is the AU’s standing decision-making body responsible for the maintenance of
continental peace and security. It has 15 members, elected by the AU Assembly of
Heads of State and Government.
The delegation was led by Djibouti’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, who is also the
Permanent Representative to the AU and Chair of the PSC for the month of October,
H.E. Mohamed Idriss Farah.
On arrival at the Aden Adde International Airport, the delegation was met by
Ambassador Annadif as well as Somali government officials. They then proceeded to
Villa Somalia where they were received in audience by Somali President, H.E. Hassan
Sheikh Mohamoud.
During the meeting, they discussed the progress that Somalia has made in recovering
from decades of anarchy. Ambassador Farah expressed the AU’s full support for the
efforts of the Somali government in pursuing peace and reconciliation and thanked
AMISOM for the sacrifices the mission has made for the sake of peace in Somalia.
On his part, President Mohamoud also expressed his government’s appreciation for the
support the country had received from the AU, saying that the Somali problem was an
African problem to be dealt with by all Africans.
“Somalia is hugely indebted to AU for helping us emerge from war and for the
relative stability the country is experiencing,” he said. He also welcomed the PSC’s
recent endorsement of the recommendations of a joint AU-UN assessment mission, key
among them being increased support to the Somali National Security Forces and a
reinforcement of AMISOM to aid in the fight against extremism in Somalia.
Specifically, the PSC has called for the provision of logistical support to the SNSF
including food, petrol and medical evacuation. It also called for an extra 6300
troops and police for AMISOM as well as enhanced engineering capabilities and much
needed equipment including military utility helicopters and armoured personnel
carriers.
Ambassador Annadif said the visit was a demonstration of the commitment of the AU to
the peace process in Somalia. “It is a sign of the importance the continent attaches
to the fight against extremism and to supporting the efforts of the people of
Somalia to re-establish security, stability and the rule of law,” he said.
He also urged the UN Security Council to quickly act on the PSC’s requests, saying
that the window of opportunity for cementing the gains in Somalia must not be
missed. “AMISOM is continuing to train and build up the capacities of the Somali
forces to eventually take over responsibility for securing the nation. The support
of the international community is crucial in this effort and in denying Al Qaeda
affiliated terrorist group to plan and plot attacks on innocent civilians in Somalia
and beyond,” he added.
The PSC delegation also toured the AMISOM Hospital located at the Halane base in the
southern part of Mogadishu.
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For more information, please Contact;
Eloi Yao and Colonel Ali Eden Houmed, Spokespersons
