ADDIS ABABA(Sh.M.Network)—The African Union (AU) Commission says it is looking forward to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) adopting a resolution authorising the technical roll-over of the current UN support package to AMISOM, the AU Union Mission in Somalia, pending the conclusion of the strategic review of AMISOM and its mandate.
The AU Commission said in a statement received by the Ethiopian News Agency (ENA) here Wednesday that it was also looking forward for the provision of additional support for AMISOM with a view to determining how best the Mission could further contribute to the stabilization of Somalia and the successful implementation of the priorities set by the Somali President and Government.
The press statement added the AU Commission expected the UNSC would positively respond to the request made by AU Commission Chairperson Dr. Dlamini-Zuma to the UN Secretary General for the provision of additional support.
The Commission had requested for the provision of additional support regarding the civilian and maritime components of AMISOM, to take into account urgent needs arising from the realities on the ground.
The enhancement of the civilian capacity of AMISOM would go a long way in assisting in the stabilization of areas recovered from the Al- Shabaab group, while the provision of maritime support would enable the Mission to ensure a better surveillance of Somalia’s coast.
The AU Commission had also appealed to the UNSC to take steps to review the arms embargo imposed on Somalia, with a view to facilitating the provision of arms and other military equipment to the Somali security forces within appropriate modalities to be determined.
Such steps would be part of efforts to empower the Somalia defence and security sectors.
The Commission also urged the UNSC to look into the issue of the large volume of charcoal found in the city of Kismayo by AMISOM, and to consider adopting, in the context of the embargo on the export of charcoal from Somalia.
Source: http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v6/newsworld.php?id=706235
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