EU delegation visits AMISOM and SNA troops in Jubbaland

A delegation from the European Union (EU) yesterday visited Kismayo to assess the working conditions and environment in which troops from the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the Somali National Army (SNA) operate.

The EU delegation comprised the Military Adviser, Colonel Sven Wickstrom, Security Advisor, Nuno Moreira, Rule of Law and Security Sector Reform Advisor, Tim Baines, Political Advisor, Kati Meittunen and the International Relations Officer at the EU headquarters in Brussels, Dilarde Teilane.

The EU officials were accompanied by AMISOM Political Affairs Officer, Walters Samah, and other senior military and police officers from the Mission headquarters in Mogadishu.

The delegation met AMISOM Sector 6 Commander, Colonel Paul Njema, AMISOM Jubbaland Police representative, General Ismail Sahardid, and top SNA officials and Commanders of Jubbaland and Darwish Forces.

Col. Njema briefed the visiting delegation about progress of operations in the sector, including training of Somali forces, provision of relief support, and civil-military coordination activities. The AMISOM Sector 6 Commander also cited the challenges the troops are currently facing in their efforts to restore peace and security in the region.

“The trained SNA forces, for example, require weapons and we request that they be armed for general battle preparedness so that they are able to operate and carry out offensives to liberate areas and also take part in the upcoming offensives against Al-Shabaab in Lower Jubba region,” he noted.

Gen. Sahardid echoed Col Njema’s plea, saying SNA requires more support from donors mainly food for the troops, weapons and military vehicles and uniforms among others.

The delegation was also briefed about the training programmes, for the Somali Police, conducted by the AMISOM Police Component. Currently, more than 400 trained officers have been deployed in the state capital, Kismayo, and other parts of the regional state to enforce law and order.

The EU Military Advisor Col Wickstrom, on behalf of the visiting delegation, thanked the troops for their service, adding that the interaction with the troops and operations commanders on the ground would provide the EU with a better perspective on how to support Somalia.