by Abdi
MOGADISHU, July 24 (Xinhua) -- The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and Somalia government kicked of a four-day meeting on Monday to discuss ways of transitioning Somalia's security from the pan-African mission to the country's security forces.
In his opening remarks, Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, Francisco Caetano Madeira stressed the significance of equipping and facilitating the Somali National Security Forces (SNSF), to effectively strengthen them and ensure a smooth transition.
"The Somali National Security Forces need to be capacitated in all fields and need to be given the required equipment, the required mobility, the required weapons to be able to perform," he said in a statement released by the AU mission in Mogadishu.
Madeira said the question would be how SNA, AMISOM and Somalia National Security Forces are going to fit into these decisions and recommendations and what they need to do to implement these decisions and attain the final result.
The meeting will discuss in detail the implementation of the National Security Architecture derived from a security pact signed by Somalia's leaders on April 16.
The pact roots for the integration of regional and federal forces capable of gradually taking lead responsibility for providing security in the country.
Deputy Prime Minister Mahdi Mohamed Guled urged the meeting to come up with clear goals and accountability mechanisms to implement the transition.
"I want to ask you all to remember that we are at this present positive trajectory because many of our finest men and women, both SNSF and AMISOM have made the ultimate sacrifice; and a successful transition will be about honoring their sacrifice; as it is, bringing peace and prosperity back to the Somali nation," he stated.
Guled lauded AMISOM for the support it has accorded the people and the government of Somalia "until this critical moment in history".
In April, Somalia's leaders made a security pact that resulted in the establishment of a National Security Architecture, in which they commit to taking a lead in providing security in the country, including securing recovered areas.
The Somali-led security forces would also open Main Supply Routes and provide security for the 2021 elections.
During the May London Somali Conference, recommendations encouraged an effective transitional role by AMISOM, on a conditions-based transition.
