The Somali government has denied reports that AMISOM troops are monitoring the movements of Somali government forces
The Somali government has denied reports that AMISOM troops are monitoring the movements of Somali government forces amid political impasse which threatens to plunge the country into a state of chaos.
Somalia’s Deputy Minister of Defense Abdifatah Qasim described the decision as “disgraceful” as it was not part of AMISOM’s mandate, adding that the government would not accept the offer, which was made by “governments that do not want Somali troops build and progress.”
“The AU has stated that AMISOM forces are monitoring the activities of the Somali National Army. Don’t they want our troops to be independent? AMISOM’s job is to protect government buildings, officials and the fight against terrorism,” said Qasim speaking at an event in Mogadishu.
The statement from the Deputy Minister of Defense appears to be the beginning of a new rift between the federal government and the African Union and the federal government is set to issue an official statement on the AU decision.
On Thursday night AU in a statement Requests AMISOM, pending the renewal of its mandate, to monitor the deployment of Somali Security Forces (SSF), and to this end, requests the Chairperson of the AU Commission, to urgently convene a meetings of Troop and Police Contributing Countries (T/PCCs), at ambassadorial level, as well as of the Military Operations Coordination Committee (MOCC) at the level of Chiefs of Defense Staff, to consider the security implications of the current political impasse, as well as to map options for addressing and mitigating them;
The African Union Condemned actions of the Lower House of Parliament to extend mandate of Somali government, saying move effectively delayed elections, undermined unity and stability of the country.
“AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) Further expresses deep concern with the possible impact of the current political situation and climate on the cohesion of the Somali federation, the unity of the Somali army and security apparatuses, the process of force generation and the capability to continue to degrade Al Shabaab,” the resolution reads in part.
The bloc urged all Somali political leaders to exercise maximum restraint and refrain from any actions that may lead to an escalation of tensions and further undermine the stability of Somalia, the Horn of Africa region and the Continent.
