Somalia has assured a joint team from the African Union and the United Nations reviewing the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) of its commitment to assume security responsibilities as stipulated in the transition plan.
The National Security Advisor of the Federal Government of Somalia, Abdisaid Musse Ali asked the team not to judge the country from the past seeing as the country has made positive and significant strides towards being sufficient and especially as they march ahead with the integration of the security forces.
Somalia insists that she is building a state and building a state meant the Somalis needed to take responsibility not only of the military but also of the administration of the country. The Horn of Africa nation maintains that it has taken control of most areas from al Shabaab with the help of peacekeepers and as such the country was ready to be in charge of it domestic and otherwise affairs.
Mr. Ali paid tribute to AMISOM soldiers, police and civilians for their commitment to Somalia, noting their presence remains critical as Somalia moves into the transition stage. he also echoed the importance of lifting the arms embargo to equip the military and increase its capacity to deal with al Shabaab and other threats.
