AFRICAN UNION CONGRATULATES THE SOMALI POLICE FORCE ON ITS 69TH ANNIVERSARY
MOGADISHU, Somalia, December 21, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- As the Somali Police Force marks the 69th anniversary of its formation the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, Ambassador Mohamat Annadif, has reaffirmed AMISOM's commitment to continuing to enhance the capacity of SPF to serve and protect the people of Somalia.
The SPF was founded in 1943 and the Force is now recovering and rebuilding having been held back by decades of armed conflict and civil war. AMISOM's police component has been helping to reconstitute the force and to train and mentor its personnel. The component is also helping to equip the SPF through providing basic supplies to the police stations. It recently deployed 2 Formed Police Units. The FPUs continue to play a crucial role of ensuring improved security in the liberated areas through Public Order Management including joint patrols together with the Somali Police Force, provision of security to VIPs, individuals and properties.
Paying tribute to the men and women of the Force, the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, Ambassador Mahamat Annadif, reaffirmed the Mission's commitment to enhance the capacity of SPF by training, mentoring, advising the SPF and ensuring the security of individuals and properties.
Amb Annadif said: "Without strong and enduring rule of law and public order there is no lasting peace. The Somali Police Force is playing and will continue to play an integral part in Somalia's recovery. On this anniversary, I pay tribute to the efforts of the SPF in working to serve and protect every citizen and reaffirm AMISOM's commitment to helping the SPF in the future”.
He reaffirmed AMISOM's commitment to supporting with the Somali Police Force. AMISOM Police from across the African Union have focussed on enhancing the capacity of the SPF in its efforts to restore the rule of law and public order in Somalia.
He said: “AMISOM has a strong and productive partnership with the Somali Police Force and we are committed to building on this good work. We shall continue to encourage Somali Police to serve and protect every citizen in a manner that will build public confidence. Our training and mentoring partnerships with the SPF are crucial to helping Somalia develop the security framework in which long lasting peace and stability can grow.”
The AMISOM police component currently has 363 police officers drawn from different African countries. AMISOM Police are also involved in mentoring and advisory support to the SPF on basic police duties, such as human rights observation, crime prevention strategies, community policing and search procedures. It has conducted training for nearly a third of the SPF's 5000 officers including running a refresher course for middle level officers, training new recruits as well as running courses in traffic management and criminal investigation techniques.