AU Special Representative addresses the Atlantic Council on the State of Somalia

The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia and Head of AMISOM Ambassador Maman Sidikou has expressed optimism at the pace of peace and state building initiatives in Somalia. Ambassador Sidikou cited the formation of regional states, terming them as useful steps that will transform the interim regional administration into the constituent states of a Federal Somalia.

Addressing the Atlantic Council in Washington DC, United States on 5 October 2015, the SRCC said the constitutional review process was in top gear with three institutions driving the process namely, the ministry of constitutional affairs, the oversight committee of parliament and the Independent Constitutional Implementation Review Commission.

“All of these are expected to lead Somalia into another political transition through elections by September 2016”, he said.

Ambassador Sidikou briefed the Atlantic Council about the Federal government’s decision to have a consultative process that will determine the modalities of the electoral process.

“We hope that the outcomes of this process will be presented at the next High-Level Partnership Forum, which would be held in Turkey in the last ten days of February 2016”, the SRCC told the Washington gathering.

He however noted that alongside the positive political developments in Somalia, there were also challenges, among them the ongoing squabbles between various political actors, especially in the federal parliament.

Ambassador Sidikou stated that the National Leadership Forum, which brings together the Federal Government and Interim Regional Administrations, has begun to discuss some of the key issues regarding the future federal structure of Somalia.

The SRCC said some of the discussions centred on the distribution of powers and resources as well as responsibilities between the Mogadishu and the regional states, as well as the critical issue of the integration of forces into a Somali National Army and National Police.

He said the constitution of a national army and national police for Somalia was an indication of AMISOM’s exit from the country.

He challenged Somali political leadership to stand up and be counted as statesmen and women when it came to resolving problems that bedevil their country.

“Every one of them must support the work of the Integration Commission”, the AMISOM head said, adding that they must ensure the implementation of the Guulwade and Heegan Plans.

He added while the efforts to rebuild a truly national army and national police that are well resourced and motivated is given the highest attention it requires, AMISOM will begin to consider handing over security responsibilities to the Somali authorities or to a United Nations operation.

“And to prepare for this eventuality, we have recently concluded the revision of our concept of operations”, the SRCC said in reference to AMISOM’s preparations.

He said the revised concept of operations requires AMISOM to enhance intelligence sharing, conduct operations across sector boundaries, generate and deploy the required Force Enablers and Multipliers as well as special, quick reaction forces, for the benefit of the Mission.

He said these efforts will make a big difference including giving the force an effective command of all the contingents.

“As for the Air Assets, we need them now more than ever before to provide air power and mobility which are critical in both defending and responding to attacks,” he added.

On allegations of rape and sexual exploitation and abuse against AMISOM personnel, the SRCC said they had been thoroughly investigated and two cases of rape had been proven.

“We are engaged with the concerned troop contributing country to ensure that the perpetrators face the law accordingly, ” he added.
He also said AMISOM had operationalized the civilian casualty tracking and response cell, which now has three human rights officers from AU to strengthen it’s protection cluster.