Major Donors Endorse Somalia’s Security Plan in New York
GOOBJOOG NEWS|NEW YORK: The international community has endorsed Somalia’s plan for the development of the security sector, which envisages a phased approach as African Union troops wind down their operations in the country after close to two decades.
About 30 countries and international intergovernmental organisations such as the UN, AU, Arab League, and the European Union approved the plan Tuesday during a conference chaired by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. The plan, which was not immediately available, sets out short-, medium-, and long-term milestones anchored on the revised National Security Architecture.
“The plan lays out a phased approach to ensuring delivery and sustainability of security provision, including due consideration of affordability, beginning with the immediate priority of establishing base foundations in the ‘Now’, building and sustaining gains in the ‘Next’, and expanding capabilities of the security sector in the ‘Later’,” a communique from the one-day conference read in part.
It noted that the plan will be guided by Somalia’s commitments under international human rights law. We welcome the commitment to further development of elements of the plan in collaboration with our partners.
The communique further noted that ‘partners stand ready to support the FGS and commit to working collectively towards Somalia assuming full ownership and responsibility for its security sector.’
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said his government had set out an ‘ambitious reform plan and goals for the security sector for the coming six years.’
The conference also lauded Somalia’s efforts in the war against Al-Shabaab and urged continued international support to ensure the militant group is fully annihilated. They also saluted Somalia’s debt relief journey which is expected to formally end today with the announcement of debt relief.
They pledged they support to rebuilding the Somali Security Forces, especially in light of the expected full withdrawal of African Union troops by December 2024.
“We seek to align our support to Somalia’s priorities and will develop partnership principles to aid in the coherence, transparency, coordination and support of a capable, accountable and affordable Somali security sector.”
The conference was cohosted by the African Union, European Union, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Nations and the United States of America, and attended by 28 of Somalia’s friends and partners.