Zuma commends UN resolution on Africa Union Mission in Somalia

Premium Times
Sunday, November 17, 2013

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“The current strength of the AMISOM which is 17,731, will rise to 22,126 uniformed personnel.”

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Dlamini Zuma, has said that United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution to strengthen the African Union Mission in Somalia, AMISOM, would boost security in Somalia.

Ms. Zuma said this in a statement issued by the commission’s Directorate of Information and Communication made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday in Addis Ababa.

According to her, the resolution will strengthen the AU Mission in Somalia to enable it to tackle the security challenges in the country.

“The current strength of the AMISOM which is 17,731, will rise to 22,126 uniformed personnel and will boost the effort of the Somali National Army (SNA) through an appropriate UN Trust Fund,” she said.

Ms. Zuma said that the strengthening of AMISOM and support to the SNA would make it possible for them to resume and intensify military campaign against the Al-Shabaab terrorist group.

“The decision will also help to expand the authority of the Federal Government of Somalia and facilitate the political process.

“This will culminate in the finalisation and adoption of a federal constitution and the holding of elections,” she said.

The chairperson said that the decision was an illustration of the partnership that the AU and the UN were trying to build for peace and stability in that country.

She commended members of the UNSC for their support and commitment to the achievement of lasting peace, security, stability, and reconciliation in Somalia.

The UNSC on Tuesday authorised a temporary boost for the African Union peacekeeping force in Somalia by over 4,000 troops with an expanded logistical package.

According to the UNSC, the gesture is to maintain basic security and respond to the evolving threat from Al-Shabaab insurgents.

The UNSC had unanimously adopted the resolution and also extended the deployment of AMISOM which was constituted in 2007 to October 31, 2014.

It also requested the AU to increase AMISOM’s force from 17,731 to 22,126 uniformed personnel and resolved to expand the logistical support package provided to the force by the UN.

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