Al-Shabaab must be degraded ahead of Amisom exit-conference

The conference highlighted as critical and urgent, the need for continued joint operations in all sectors in the country in order to further disrupt and degrade the enemy.

Amisom head Francisco Madeira, speaks at the closing session of Joint AMISOM and FGS Conference on Transitioning Security Responsibilities from AMISOM to Somali National Security Forces in Mogadishu, Somalia, on July 29, 2017. AMISOM Photo / Omar Abdisalan

A weakened Al-Shabaab provides a favourable window of opportunity for transition from African Union troops to Somali National Forces, a joint Somali and Amisom conference in Mogadishu has said.

A five day conference by Federal Government and Amisom which sought to engage on transitional arrangements ahead of expected Amisom draw-down in late 2018 stressed the need for enhanced joint operations to disrupt and degrade Al-Shabaab in the coming months.

“The conference highlighted as critical and urgent, the need for continued joint operations in all sectors in the country in order to further disrupt and degrade the enemy,” a communique from the conference read.

The parties also said Amisom and Somali commanders will be working on joint and coordinated attacks for the rest of 2017 and beyond ‘to degrade and defeat Al-Shabaab and other armed groups, protect population centres, open and secure main supply routes to allow Somalis to go about their lives, securely and confidently.’

Stabilisation of the country

Defense minister Abdirashid Abdullahi Mohamed said the conference sought to establish an effective working relationship between Somali forces and Amisom to support the stabilization of the country.

“The main objective is how we cooperate and pull all our efforts to make ends meet in ensuring that the objectives that are expected out of us, are delivered in the best manner that can support us, in stabilizing this nation.”

Highlights of the Security Pact between Somalia and donors during London Conference

Amisom chief Francisco Madeira observed the conference established ground a strategic implementation of security operations.

“We brainstormed, we tried to see how best we can move forward in terms of strategizing on the best way to implement these decisions and have a more stressed, affirmed impact on the battlefield against Al Shabaab,” said Madeira.

London Conference

The conference which is a precursor to the donor meeting in October also explored the implementation of the National Security Architecture developed by the Federal Government April and presented for donor funding during the London Conference in May.

A Security Pact emerging from the London Conference set out the framework under which the Architecture will be financed and implemented in light of Amisom’s gradual withdrawal in late 2018. Somali National Forces (SNF) are expected to take over from Amisom major security tasks as from 2018 but based on prevailing conditions, the Security Pact said.

The London Conference set October 2017 for donors to make commitments to fund the Architecture which is seen as the back bone to the future of Somalia’s security forces. The Architecture proposes the establishment of an initial 22,000 strong Somali National Army supported by 32,000 police forces.

Funding for Amisom once again featured in the five day conference in Mogadishu and importantly on the need for force multipliers which has been a common call from Amisom and troops contributing countries. “The conference stressed in this context, the need for adequate and predictable funding for Amisom as well as force enablers and force multipliers to further enhance the effectiveness of Amisom and SNF forces in the theatre of operations,” the communique read.