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EU approves $116.9 million in funding to boost security in Somalia

ATMIS police personnel patrol. Photo: ATMIS

By Hassan Mohamed | 18 Apr 2024

The EU is the largest direct contributor to the AU peacekeeping mission to Somalia with nearly a whopping EUR 2.87 billion (Sh407 billion) funding since 2007 when the peacekeepers were deployed to Somalia.

The European Union has this week approved $116.9 million (Sh15.5 billion) to the Somali National Army (SNA) and African Union Transition mission in Somalia (ATMIS) peacekeepers to help boost security and sustain peace in Somalia during the ongoing security transition process.

ATMIS is set to exit Somalia by the end of this year. However, a new leaner mission is being discussed to help ensure the security of key infrastructure including airports and seaports and Federal States administrative capital.

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The EU is the largest direct contributor to the AU peacekeeping mission to Somalia with nearly a whopping EUR 2.87 billion (Sh407 billion) funding since 2007 when the peacekeepers were deployed to Somalia. The EU remains a key partner of Somalia and continues to invest heavily in the peace and security process of the country.

The head of ATMIS inspects a KDF guard of honour in Dhobley. Photo: ATMIS

The EU provided EUR 85 million (Sh12 billion) to support the ATMIS military component in 2023 under the European Peace Facility (EPF) and a further EUR 33 million (Sh 4.6 billion) to the civilian and police components in 2023 and 2024. This year they are contributing EUR 70 million (Sh9.9 billion). Without these crucial funds, the ongoing security stabilisation efforts would not have been possible.

“The EU will add €70 million to the resources already mobilised for ATMIS in previous years and €40 million for the SNA. For ATMIS, the agreed support will mostly contribute to the troop allowances of the African soldiers deployed in Somalia. Over the period 1 July 2021 – 31 December 2023, previous support under the EPF amounted to €270 million. For the SNA, it will focus on the provision of non-lethal equipment. Previous support to the SNA under the EPF amounts to €50 million,’ the EU said in a statement.

ATMIS is a peacekeeping mission with military, police, and civilian components. Kenya is among the troop and police-contributing countries to the ATMIS mission in Somalia. Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) are based in Dhobley and Kismayo while the Kenya Police Service is embedded in the ATMIS police component that works and mentors the Somali Police Force in several towns in Somalia.