AMISOM troops in Somalia, US Deputy Representative to the UN ambassador Michele J. Sison has disapproved the transition of the African Union Mission in Somalia to a UN Peacekeeping Mission. Photo/the-star.co.keUS Deputy Representative to the UN ambassador Michele J. Sison has disapproved the transition of the African Union Mission in Somalia to a UN Peacekeeping Mission. Sison said the international community needs to come together and see how AMISOM and the Somali security forces can be better facilitated to defeat the Al Shabaab. “Given the severity of remaining security challenges in Somalia, we do not believe it is appropriate at this time to transition to a UN peacekeeping mission, AMISOM should continue its principal mission to reduce the threat of Al Shabaab while setting the conditions for a successful security transition ” she said. She added that President Farmaajo should work with the Somali regional presidents to reach agreement on a national architecture for the Somali National Army and security forcesSison acknowledged that AMISOM is underfunded. “The United States continues to engage with partners to work towards a suitable solution to the issue of AMISOM troop stipends.” Sais Sison. The focus, she said, should be on how Somalia’s own systems can be strengthened “The United States provides substantial assistance, including equipment, to the militaries of many AMISOM Troop Contributing Countries, and we encourage donors to contribute to the Trust Fund for AMISOM and the Somali National Army.”. “We recognize that AMISOM cannot stay forever in Somalia, and in this regard, joint planning between the UN and AU to identify AMISOM’s immediate needs has become increasingly important.The upcoming UN-AU joint review of AMISOM will be an opportunity to assess Somalia’s comprehensive security needs and identify a way forward for AMISOM.“We look forward to the London Conference on Somalia as an opportunity for the Federal Government of Somalia and its international partners to reach agreement on these key issues we’ve discussed here today.”

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