The African Union Mission in Somalia, (AMISOM) is holding a crucial meeting with key stakeholders, to develop its Concept of Operations (CONOPS), which will provide an effective framework for implementation of the gradual transition from Somalia. The five-day meeting in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, will develop a three-year transition plan of action, that takes into consideration the evolving political and security situation in the Horn of Africa country.
AMISOM has identified priority areas for action, including the clearing of Main Supply Routes, securing of population centers, creating security and access conditions, for stabilization and service delivery to populations, through a renewed joint-offensive against Al-Shabaab.
The CONOPS “describes AMISOM’s assumptions and intent regarding plans and aspirations, in the three phases of Somalia’s Transition Plan that will culminate in the slated (year) 2021 one-person-one-vote election and consequently the gradual transfer, of the security responsibilities from AMISOM to the Somali security forces,” noted the Head of AMISOM, Ambassador Francisco Caetano Madeira, in his speech read by the Deputy Head of Mission Mr. Simon Mulongo, during the opening of the high-level meeting on Monday. “It provides a clear guidance to AMISOM for the next three years,” Mulongo stated.
The CONOPS, which aims to provide a structure for AMISOM operations from 2018 – 2021, marks the final phase of the AU Mission’s transition and its eventual exit from Somalia. It is expected to provide a comprehensive basis for conducting operations in including, the training and mentoring of the Somali Police and the national army, whole at the same time creating a useful framework for stabilization, civil military activities, early recovery and reconstruc
