ISTANBUL– Somalia said Thursday that it received a large shipment of military equipment from the African Union.

“The Federal Republic of Somalia received a substantial shipment of military equipment from the African Union on Thursday, including armored vehicles, helmets and vests, an armored personnel carrier, fuel and water tankers, engines, medical supplies and other essential resources,” the Foreign Ministry said on Facebook.

The shipment is “aimed at bolstering the country’s security infrastructure and contributing to regional stability,” it said.

Somalia extended “its heartfelt appreciation to the African Union for its continued and invaluable support, which strengthens regional security, supports institutional development and advances counterterrorism efforts, reaffirming the shared dedication to fostering long-term stability, resilience and progress across the continent,” the ministry added.

On Dec. 27, 2024, the UN Security Council approved a resolution authorizing the deployment of a new African Union mission in Somalia to replace an earlier AU force starting in early 2025, with the goal of combating al-Shabaab militants.

The new mission is called the African Union Stabilization Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), and it will operate for an initial period of one year.

Source: AA