UK announces £21m to prop up new Somali security architecture

Somali Police Force in parade during a past function. The UK Friday announced the new funding will support the government's efforts in building the country's security organs. File Photo: SNP Handout — Somali Police Force in parade during a past function. The UK Friday announced the new funding will support the government’s efforts in building the country’s security organs. File Photo: SNP Handout

The UK will inject a £21 million support to jumpstart the new National Security Architecture agreed by the Federal and State leaders last week in Mogadishu.

In a statement Friday, the UK government said the support will be crucial in helping Somalia develop its own security which will take the lead role in securing the country as African Union forces start a draw-down next year.

The funds, the UK said will complement ‘will complement existing UK support, including training by British Military personnel of Somali National Army and African Union forces, police mentoring, and work on stabilisation and Countering Violent Extremism’.

Somalia announced last week the start of forces integration from June this year placing security forces under Federal Members States under either the Somalia National Army, Federal Police or state police. Under the new structure, Somalia will have for the start 18,000 ground troops as the country builds its navy and air force.

The UK noted ‘Somalia will continue to need substantial support across security, political reform and economic and social development to secure and build on the progress it has made over the last five years’.

Speaking during an interaction with African Defense chiefs conference Friday, AFRICOM head General Thomas Waldhauser said the US projects Somalia security forces should be able to provide their own defense by 2020/21 noting the building of the security architecture was crucial to realise this.