Kenya seeks US support to transform Amisom into UN mission

Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Minister Amina Mohamed has called on the US to support Africa’s bid to transform Amisom into a UN mission while calling for more financial support to the force which is facing cash crunch over the EU 20% cut February.

Speaking during a media conference with Secretary of State John Kerry Monday, Mohamed said the troops contributing countries had strongly voiced their position to the UN Security Council since the region was not capable of supporting the force.

“We made our pitch to the UN with the Security Council members to encourage them to allow for the re-hatting of the AMISOM troops. And we did that because, as you know, the budget of AMISOM has been cut by 20 percent. And the region was not going to come in and contribute both resources and boots on the ground. And therefore we talked to the Security Council,” said Mohamed.

“So Secretary Kerry, we’ll also continue encouraging you to support that effort, because we truly need the resources,” said Mohamed noting she also raised the call for force multiplier with Kerry. The CS said Amisom was not a regional but international engagement.

Kerry said his country was committed to supporting Amisom while at the same time maintaining support for the Somali people and the government as they strive to protect their citizens, strengthen their institutions, and participate in a landmark electoral process.

We also discussed with regional ministers the need for enhanced information sharing, training of security agencies and countering radical ideology, said Kerry.

Amisom chief Madeira said last week he was dismayed by the slow pace at which the UN is taking to enable the force acquire force multipliers despite raising the issue with the Security Council a number of times. Madeira said the failure to get the enablers was negatively impacting Amisom’s fight against Al-Shabaab.

“I take this opportunity to appeal to our partners to do their part, and provide the necessary support in a timely and responsive manner. The issue of force multipliers and enablers is something that has been discussed for years, with very limited progress. We are now appealing for action,” Madeira said.

Troops contributing countries; Kenya, Uganda, Djibouti, Ethiopia and Burundi have strongly said they will not contribute any funds to Amisom noting the UN Security Council was responsible for funding such missions.