AMISOM and the TFG enhance information sharing to deal with security threats.

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, April 4, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia have launched a Joint Fusion and Liaison Unit to ensure timely information sharing .The move will improve coordination between the TFG and AMISOM to deal with any emerging security threats.

Head of AMISOM Mission Analysis Cell, Mr. Fred Ngoga Gatereste said the establishment of the unit which is the vision of the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, Ambassador Boubacar Gaoussou Diara,will allow AMISOM and the TFG to have the same understanding of the situation and take timely action to prevent Al‐ Shabaab's terrorist actions.

“Information sharing is already bearing fruits as joint AMISOM and TFG operations have enabled the defeat of Al‐Shabaab terrorists in the Daynile area with minimum casualties on our side. The Joint Fusion and Liaison Unit will further strengthen our coordination as we liberate more areas from Al‐Shabaab terrorists.” He said.

Somalia's National Security Agency (SNSA) director, Ahmed Fiqi welcomed the inauguration of the UFL and highlighting that “it will further enhance the strategic working relationship we have with AMISOM and ultimately assist our forces in the war against Al Qaeda.” He also thanked all AU member states and those who support AMISOM.

The Head of Prevention Alert from the African Center for Research on Terrorism( ACSRT) Mr Idriss Mounir Lallali, said; “This unit will be very useful. We have seen the benefits of such units in the Sahel."

The establishment of the Joint Fusion and Liaison Unit between AMISOM and the TFG follows the recommendation made during the Information Sharing Meeting held in Kampala, Uganda in November 2010.