Support Payment To African Union Mission, Somalia

Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Payment of support to African Union mission in Somalia

The Government today paid SEK 10 million in support to the African Union (AU) peace-keeping mission in Somalia, AMISOM.

"The humanitarian situation in Somalia is one of the most serious in the world. The escalating fighting, mainly in the capital, Mogadishu, has left over a million people in acute need of relief.

The security situation must be improved so that humanitarian relief can get through and that a political process can be initiated. The limited forces of the African Union must now be strengthened with contributions from the entire international community," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.

The African Union has indicated that it intends to use the Swedish contribution to purchase hospital equipment, among other things.

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On 20 February 2007, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1744, which gives the AU peace-keeping force, AMISOM, the mandate to support dialogue and reconciliation in Somalia by contributing to free movement, safe passage and protection for those involved in the national reconciliation process.

In addition, AMISOM is also expected to protect the transitional institutions so that they can carry out their tasks, and to help create the necessary security for humanitarian assistance. Its mandate calls for 8 000 troops, but so far, the force consists only of some 1 600 people.

ENDS

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