MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Talks between officials of the African Union Commission, Somalia’s federal government and international partners began in the capital Mogadishu on issues, including the mandate, structure and concept of operations of a new AU mission, AMISOM said on Friday.
It comes weeks after Somali authorities and AU officials agreed on a proposed new peacekeeping mission – the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) which is set to replace AMISOM whose mandate expires on March 31.
“As proposed by the technical teams of the FGS and AU, the mandate of the new AU Transition Mission in Somalia will be to support the Federal government to implement its strategic objectives and priorities in the STP,” said Somali Minister of Defense Abdikadir Mohamed Nur.
The head of AMISOM stressed the necessity that technical teams agree on a clear roadmap which could distinguish the new mission from AMISOM.
“We have agreed on what needs to be done. However, we need to work together on how this will be done, with what means and what is required to differentiate the new mission from AMISOM. This is a project that is essential and dear to all of us, but for it to succeed it needs assurances of reliable sources of adequate and predictable funding and support,” Ambassador Madeira said.
The Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General Anita Kiki Gbeho assured UN commitment to a successful reconfiguration of AMISOM.
“We welcome the commencement of the technical talks to further develop the draft Concept of Operations, develop a joint proposal, and the logistics support package in line with the agreed roadmap,” Gbeho said.
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