EU plans increased funding to support Somalia’s security transition
The EU’s ambassador to Somalia, Francesca Mouro, said that the bloc is preparing for a conference that will focus on accelerating these plans.
The European Union (EU) has outlined new plans to expand financial support for security operations that work with the federal government of Somalia, as regional and international partners continue to discuss ways of strengthening the country’s security transition.
The announcement was made as Somalia prepares for a series of engagements with global partners who have been involved in efforts to help stabilise the country.
More To Read
- Quad initiative seeks immediate humanitarian truce, political process to rescue Sudan from collapse
- Kenya, EU ink Sh4.8 billion deal on environment and climate protection
- Somali Electoral Commission to begin voter card distribution in Banadir ahead of elections
- EU, Indian navies take over ship used by pirates off Somalia to seize tanker
- Africa’s rapid drone expansion promises high-tech warfare but struggles to achieve strategic results
- ‘No rain, no food, no life’: Amnesty slams global inaction as Somalia’s drought turns deadly
The EU’s ambassador to Somalia, Francesca Mouro, said that the bloc is preparing for a conference that will focus on accelerating these plans.
She explained that the upcoming meeting is expected to bring together officials who will review the needs of Somalia’s security institutions and identify areas that require additional funding.
The discussions will also look at how different countries can take part in the next phase of support for Somalia.
Mouro said that she recently visited several military facilities in Somalia, where she saw supplies that included weapons and medical items.
She noted that these supplies show the steps that Somalia has been taking as part of its recovery process. Her visit was aimed at assessing the progress made through previous funding and the needs that remain for Somali forces and African Union troops operating in the country.
The ambassador said that the Somali National Army and the African Union forces, known as AUSSOM, are working under challenging conditions. She added that these challenges require a joint effort from many countries if the progress Somalia has made is to continue. According to her, the EU wants to encourage broader participation from international partners so that the support offered to Somalia does not rely on a single actor.
Mouro said that a summit expected to take place this month in Rwanda will gather leaders from the African Union and the EU. She said that the meeting will discuss how the two sides can strengthen support for Somalia.
The agenda will include talks on how to reduce risks that may affect Somalia’s security transition at a time when responsibilities are gradually shifting from African Union forces to Somali security institutions.
She said the EU is working on a plan that will increase the level of assistance offered to the Somali security forces. She said that this plan is driven by the goal of helping Somali forces manage security in the country without depending on external forces.
“We are striving to increase support for the Somali security forces so that they can take over the country’s security from the African Union Forces. We want this security assistance for Somalia to be a shared responsibility rather than solely dependent on the EU,” Mouro stated.
She added that discussions about the funding needed for this plan have been ongoing for some time. She said that the EU has already contributed part of the amount required, but that more support is still needed from other countries.
“After a long wait, we want to share the responsibility of supporting Somalia’s security. We need 200 million euros, of which we have contributed 50 million euros,” added the EU ambassador.
The EU has been a major partner in Somalia’s security sector, offering training for troops, providing equipment, and helping with logistics. The bloc also works with African Union forces deployed in Somalia under AUSSOM, which replaced the African Union Mission in Somalia as part of the security transition process.
These forces have been involved in operations aimed at supporting Somali troops as they take greater control of security responsibilities.
Mouro said that the EU plans are part of a longer process in which Somalia is expected to assume full responsibility for its security. She noted that the assistance offered by the EU and other partners is designed to help Somali forces prepare for this role. She said the EU will continue to work with Somali authorities and African Union officials as they move into the next phase of the transition.
Top Stories Today
