Brussels, 22/03/2013 (Agence Europe) - €33 million is the amount of additional funding the European Union will allocate to the African Union mission in Somalia (AMISOM). This decision to release the additional sum was made on 19 March and brings the total EU contribution to the peacekeeping force up to €444 million. This mission was set up in 2007, under United Nations Security Council mandate. The funding will cover troop costs for the peacekeepers, expenditure on the police and civilian aspects of the mission, as well as the operational costs of the AMISOM mission HQ in Nairobi (Kenya)
Catherine Ashton, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy pointed out that “supporting AMISOM is a key element of the EU's comprehensive approach to Somalia” in its efforts at political, security and development levels in the country.
This new EU financial support will enable AMISOM to complete its mandate and achieve full capacity of 17,331 men, in compliance with the level authorised by the United Nations. (AN/transl.fl)