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Progress Report of the Chairperson of the Commission on the situation in Somalia/AMISOM

August 12, 2019August 12, 2019
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PROGRESS REPORT OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE COMMISSION

ON THE SITUATION IN SOMALIA/AMISOM


I. INTRODUCTION

1. This progress report is submitted pursuant to paragraph 11 of the Communiqué of the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council (PSC) adopted at its 848th meeting on 9 May 2019 held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in which Council requested the Commission to work closely with the United Nations (UN) to monitor implementation of the mandate of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and ensure timely quarterly reports to the PSC on the situation in Somalia.

2. In the same vein, the UN Security Council in paragraph 32 of resolution 2472 (2019), requested the AU to keep it informed every 90 days, through the UN Secretary-General, on the implementation of AMISOM’s mandate. The UN Security Council further requested that the report on AMISOM should include a focus on the following areas: (a) joint operations in support of the Transition Plan, including the use and effectiveness of coordination mechanisms; (b) performance issues, including command and control and conduct and discipline; (c) measures taken to protect civilians; (d) equipment provision; and (e) a reconfiguration plan on locations for drawdown determined by a threat assessment of AMISOM. In this context, the present progress report covers the period from June to August 2019 and provides an update on the situation in Somalia since the renewal of AMISOM mandate and authority by the AU PSC and the UN Security Council on 9 and 31 May 2019, respectively.


II. MAIN POLITICAL AND RELATED DEVELOPMENTS

3. In line with its mandate and tasks outlined in the PSC communique of its 848th meeting, as well as the additional tasks outlined in the UN Security Council resolution 2472 (2019), AMISOM continues to support the efforts of the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) in ensuring the security conditions and enabling environment to facilitate political, stabilization, reconciliation and peace-building processes across Somalia. This is contributing towards ensuring on-going political processes in Somalia, including AMISOM’s support to the FGS’ efforts to unify the parties of the Galmudug crises, and the signing of the agreement between the FGS and Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’a (ASWJ) on 3 July 2019. These processes are expected to contribute to the integration of ASWJ into the National Security Architecture of Somalia and ensure the conduct of credible State elections. AMISOM will thus continue to enhance its operational and political support to FGS reconciliation and integration efforts across Somalia.

4. In the same vein, and as part of efforts to promote transparent, fair, credible and peaceful State elections, AMISOM increased its civilian presence in Jubbaland in support of its uniformed personnel and in preparation of the Jubbaland elections scheduled to take place in July and August 2019. As a result, AMISOM is enhancing its engagement with relevant stakeholders, including Jubbaland authorities, in support of efforts to ensure free and fair elections in Jubbaland.

5. At the federal level, the FGS continues to enhance its efforts to prepare for universal elections in 2020/21. In this context, the AU Department of Political Affairs has contributed to AMISOM’s efforts through the implementation of various capacity building initiatives in support of efforts of the FGS and Federal Member States (FMS) to guarantee effective planning, conduct and security of the 2020/21 elections. This includes a workshop, held from 17 to 21 June, aimed at enhancing the capacity of Somali election stakeholders in developing an election security strategy and mechanisms for managing electoral disputes.

6. Consistent with the Communiqué of the 848th meeting of the PSC and the UN Security Council resolution 2472 (2019), efforts have also been made to enhance coordination and collaboration between AMISOM and the UN, including through the monthly Senior Leadership Coordination Forum (SLCF) between AMISOM and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) and the monthly AMISOM-United Nation Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) meetings. These mechanisms are enhancing joint decision making and alignment of operational efforts in the promotion of peace, security, stability and reconciliation in Somalia. The monthly SLCF is now complemented by the re-vitalised tripartite meetings among AMISOM, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and UNSOM, to better enhance coordination and implementation of joint strategic initiatives.

III. SECURITY SITUATION

7. Al-Shabaab continues to maintain its presence in South Central Somalia, with sustained use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs)/vehicle borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs), under vehicle improvised explosive devices (UVIEDs), ambushes along major supply routes (MSR), and other asymmetric tactics, including mortar attacks, suicide bombings, probing attacks and targeted assassinations. The re-emergence of the pro-Islamic State factions in Somalia (IS-Somalia) also poses a new challenge to AMISOM and the FGS. As a result, the overall security situation in Somalia remains fluid and unpredictable, particularly with the increasing use of women by Al-Shabaab, as recently witnessed in the attack on the Banadir Regional Administration’s Office in Mogadishu.

8. Despite the efforts of AMISOM and the international community to degrade Al-Shabaab and other armed opposition groups, Al-Shabaab remains a serious threat to security and stability across Somalia. This is as a result of Al Shabaab’s capacity to continue its recruitment, training and deployment of fighters, both local and foreign, as well as its ability to raise considerable revenue, through extortion, Zhakat collection and imposed levies on businesses across South Central Somalia. Furthermore, Al-Shabaab still has the capacity to operate in unrecovered areas and within population centers where it plans and launches asymmetric attacks against AMISOM and Somali Security Forces (SSF), key government officials and installations, as well as civilians.

9. Despite Al-Shabaab and other armed opposition groups’ continued threat to security and stability in Somalia, AMISOM maintains presence in the sectors set out in its 2018 – 2021 Concept of Operations (CONOPs). In this regard, and in collaboration with SSFs, AMISOM continues to conduct defensive and offensive operations, including targeted operations and combat patrols to deter Al-Shabaab actions and to protect civilians. AMISOM also continues to secure MSRs and protect population centres in its operational areas and provide airport and seaport security as well as convoy escorts to ensure safe movement of people and goods, distribution of humanitarian assistance, and enabling the FGS and FMS’ to facilitate governance initiatives and support to the population.

To read entire report click here: Progress Report of the Chairperson of the Commission on the situation in Somalia/AMISOM