UN clears reimbursement process for troops contributing countries to Somalia

Troops and police contributing countries to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) cannot now claim reimbursement for equipment lost or damaged during operations in Somalia.

The UN Support office in Somalia (UNSOS) and Amisom said Wednesday the process of a tripartite agreement between the UN, African Union and troops/police contributing countries on how  to seek reimbursement for contingent owned equipment was now complete and awaiting signing by the nations involved.

Speaking during a workshop to create understanding on the process of seeking reimbursement in Mogadishu Wednesday, Amisom chief Ambassador Francisco Madeira said countries contributing troops and police had lost a substantial amount of equipment because of the hostile and harsh environment in which they operate yet they were unable to seek reimbursement as they did not know the procedures of setting up a Board of Inquiry (BOI).

“With substantial input from Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) and Police Contributing Countries (PCCs) we can now finalize the process of Standard Operating Procedures and systems to ensure everyone is in agreement with the Standard Operation Procedures and the way in which the Boards of Inquiry will be held,” said Madeira.

UNSOS head Hubert Price said the reimbursement for contingent owned equipment to African Union TCCs/PCCs commenced in 2012 through the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2036 (2012) of 22 February and endorsed in 2016.

The tripartite BOI is based on a memorandum of understanding between the UN and TCCs and PCCs to provide reimbursement for assets for Contingent Owned Equipment that may be lost or damaged through hostile action or abandonment while in the mission area, UNSOS legal officer Zam Zam Kasuja said.

Ambassador Madeira asked the countries which were yet to append their signatures on the tripartite agreement to move with speed so that they can be reimbursed for the lost or damaged equipment.

Uganda and Ethiopia have signed the tripartite agreement while Kenya, Burundi and Djibouti are yet to append their signatures.

Besides wear and tear occasioned by operations, TCCs have also lost equipment during attacks Al-Shabaab during raids. Pictures released by the group on a number of occasions show damaged military vehicles while they cart away others.