The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia and Head of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), Ambassador Francisco Caetano Madeira this week led a high-level Somalia government delegation to assess security situation in Barawe, a strategic port city situated in the Lower Shabelle region.
The visit took place as deliberations on the drawdown of AU troops from key towns in south central Somalia continue, between the Federal Government, the Somali security forces and AMISOM.
Under the planned drawdown, the AU troops will relinquish the security of the key towns, to the Somali forces, through a conditions based transition plan, to allow them take the lead responsibility.
This is in line with the country’s National Security Architecture and National Defence Strategy, agreed upon by leaders earlier this year.
“We know that you are ready to fight the enemy and we are here in solidarity with you,” The Somali Prime Minister H.E Hassan Ali Khaire, said to the AMISOM Soldiers.
