Europe extends 50 million for Amisom

(BRUSSELS2) 50 million euros is the sum that the European Commission released on Monday (December 5) for AMISOM, the African Union mission in Somalia. A decision which clearly shows that the EU remains committed to supporting AMISOM in its mission to create the necessary preconditions for the Somali authorities to guarantee the security of their citizens and to move the peace process forward “, according to Andris Piebalgs, the European commissioner in charge of development.

This new EU aid will enable AMISOM to increase its manpower to the level authorized by the United Nations (12 troops). The EU covers part of the mission's costs, in particular soldiers' allowances, medical care, accommodation, fuel and communication equipment.

Since 2007, the EU has contributed €258 million to Amisom responsible for protecting key infrastructure (government buildings and Mogadishu International Airport) for the Transitional Federal Government. After many setbacks, Amisom recently regained control of most of the capital, Mogadishu. While the front opened in the south of the country by Kenya mobilizes the forces of Al Shabab and allows the Ugandans and Burundians who supply almost the majority of Amisom (while waiting for the Sierra Leoneans) to consolidate their positions around the Somali capital. .