Brussels, 01/09/2010 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has decided to grant an additional €47 million to the African Union to fund the continuation of peacekeeping operations in Somalia. This was announced on Wednesday 1 September.
These new funds, which were allocated under the Peace Support Operation Facility for Africa, which in turn is funded by the European Development Fund (10th EDF), bring to €142 million the total support provided by the EU to the AU's mission in Somalia (AMISOM) since 2007.
Commenting on the decision, Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Vice-President of the Commission, said in a press release that “AMISOM remains crucial to prevent a severe further downfall in the security of Somalia and has proven to be key to the creation of minimum security pre-conditions for dialogue and reconciliation in Somalia”.
Andris Piebalgs, European Commissioner for Development, spoke of the EU's determination to “support the African Union in creating the necessary conditions to national reconciliation, lasting peace, stability and sustainable development in Somalia”. He went on to voice his hope that the “mission will establish an environment where human rights are respected, the protection of all citizens assured and internally displaced persons and refugees can return home in safety and dignity”.
This European funding decision in favour of AMISOM is the fourth of its kind (“AMISOM IV”). It will provide AMISOM with the resources to ensure the protection of the transitional federal institutions, to help to implement the national security and stabilisation plan (PNSS), to facilitate humanitarian operations and to support disarmament and stabilisation efforts.
EU's support to AMISOM is part of a broader EU strategy in favour of Somalia, which includes regular aid in the field of security, by means of development programmes and projects, humanitarian aid and naval security and security training operations. (A.N./transl.fl)