The African Union (AU) has urged continued support to Somalia to guard the hard-won achievements in the Horn of African nation.
This came during the latest virtual meeting of the AU Peace and Security Council on the AU mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the situation in the country, according to a statement from the 55-member pan-African bloc on Saturday.
The council has requested the AU Commission to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the situation in Somalia and the future of AMISOM and submit the report to the council before May 27. The assessment report will present options to the council on what the AU could do in Somalia.
Speaking to the meeting held on Friday, Smail Chergui, the AU Commissioner for Peace and Security, reiterated that many Somalis, AMISOM and other bilateral partners have sacrificed their lives in the quest to make Somalis enjoy the peace which has been robbed from them over the last 30 years.
“We cannot therefore collectively allow these achievements and sacrifices to be wasted or reversed. With all these support and sacrifices, Federal Government of Somalia is showing tremendous progress,” the Commissioner said.
Underlining the need to continue with a smooth, respectful and honorable transition in the country, Chergui said the AU Commission recommends a one-year extension of AMISOMs mandate, at its current strength
