United States Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) on September 30th signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Government of Somalia and Puntland State.
The Memorandum of understanding is set to enhance the cooperation on police training in Puntland State as well as integrated counterterrorism efforts.
The MOU provides up to USD1 million shillings that will facilitate the expansion of the police force in Puntland and anti-terrorism programs that especially geared towards fighting the al Qaeda affiliate- Al Shabaab based in Somalia.
INL is an agency that is centered on developing policies and programs that combat international narcotics and cross border crimes. Its core goals are to reduce international drug trafficking and especially in the US and minimize the impact of international crimes on the US and her citizenry.
INL has also invested in Counter-narcotic and counter-terrorism programs in different countries that aid in implementing its mandate.
Somalia joins Afghanistan, Colombia and Iraq who have benefited from INL programs in countering narcotics and terrorism in the individual countries.
The program and the financing will not only help in fighting the Al Qaeda affiliated Harakat Al Shabaab al Mujahedeen based in Somalia but equivalently combat the global trafficking network that uses the East African and especially Somalia’s coast as a contraband and drug front.
USA to fund terrorism in calm n peaceful Puntland