AMISOM and Somalia call for coordinated approach to defeat Al-Shabaab

The Federal Government of Somalia and the African Union force, AMISOM have reinforced the need for more coordinated collaboration between AMISOM and Somali National Army in dealing with the scourge of terror in the country.

Speaking during a meeting in Mogadishu, AMISOM chief Francisco Madeira and Deputy Premier Mohamed Omar Arte reiterated the need for closer cooperation while acknowledging the existing gaps between the two forces.

“The interaction between AMISOM and the Somali national security forces is the one that is going to decide whether we win or not be able to overcome Al-Shabaab. And if that’s not there we are doomed to failure”, Madeira said.

Madeira said he had raised the security and defence issue with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and noted some of the pressing issues are related to the command and control structures between MISOM and their Somali counterparts.

Arte shared similar sentiments but said the two can find an amicable way to iron out any pending issues.

“Sometimes there are operational difficulties but we hope that SNA and AMISOM can address them”, the deputy Prime Minister said.

During a meeting in Djibouti in February, troops contributing countries, TCC to AMISOM stressed the need for a more coordinated approach observing there were inadequacies in the command and control structures of AMISOM.

In a communiqué, the TCC leaders emphasised the need to undertake a review of immediate requirements for AMISOM and SNSF operational effectiveness.

They also called on relevant partners to enhance coordination especially in information sharing and communications as part of efforts to revitalise offensive operations in Somalia against Al Shaabab.

Present during the talks were Somali Defense Minister, Abdulkadir Sheikh Dini, and the deputy Chief of Defense Forces, Gen Ali Bashi Mohamed.