ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, March 16, 2016/APO (African Press Organization)/ —
The African Union (AU) Commissioner for Peace and Security, Ambassador Smail Chergui met with the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General (SRSG) for Somalia and Head of the UN Assistance Office to Somalia (UNSOM), Mr. Michael Keating. The meeting took place against the backdrop of recent events on Somalia notably, the Summit of Troops and Police Contributing Countries to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) held in Djibouti on 28 February 2016, and the High-level Partnership Forum (HLPF) held in Istanbul, Turkey on 23-24 February 2016.
During the meeting, Commissioner Chergui and SRSG Keating exchanged views on current efforts by AMISOM and UNSOM to support the Federal Government of Somalia in the process of state formation and to conduct credible elections by September 2016, and acknowledged the role of AMISOM in creating the space necessary for facilitating these political developments. The Commissioner and the SRSG stressed the importance of a comprehensive and more deliberate approach in support of Somalia to develop a competent security sector as part of efforts to promote sustainable peace in the country.
Commissioner Chergui re-iterated the importance of implementing the recent decisions made during the TCC Summit especially in the areas of Command and Control, deployment of additional enablers, resource mobilization and better coordination amongst partners in their support to Somalia. He re-assured SRSG Keating that he remains committed to the enhancement of AMISOM’s operational effectiveness.
Commissioner Chergui and SRSG Keating expressed their joint commitment to strengthen the partnership between the AU and UN for promoting peace, security and stability in Somalia.
