AU Supports DDR Training for Somali Government

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, February 25, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The Commission of the African Union (AU), in collaboration with Sweden, United Nations Support Office for AMISOM (UNSOA) and UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), supported Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) training of ten Somali government officials from 10-22 February 2014, at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Centre (KAIPC) in Accra, Ghana. The Somali delegation included officials from the Ministries of Internal Affairs and National Security; Defense; Justice; Information and National Intelligence and Security Agency. It also included officers who are currently managing the Somali Transitional Centres for Disengaged Al Shabaab combatants.

This training which is in line with the AU Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Capacity Program (AU DDRCP), was aimed at enhancing the capacity and effectiveness of Somali DDR practitioners by providing them with comprehensive, conceptual and operational level understanding of the principles and procedures involved in the planning and coordination of DDR programs.

The Peace and Security Department (PSD) will continue to support both the Somali government and AMISOM in the management of disengaged combatants.