AU says modern equipment and training could reduce the threat of IEDs in Somalia

Modern equipment and training of security officers in counter terrorism measures could effectively reduce  threat caused by Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in Somalia, AU envoy said Monday.

African Union especial representative for Somalia, Francisco Madeira said extra effort must be made by both the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and development partners to address the challenge posed by the devices which have become the weapon of choice for Al-Shabaab.

“In reducing IED threats, education, training, good reporting and exchange of information, degrading the network of the terrorists and investment in equipment to defeat the terrorists is required,” said Madeira.

The seminar was attended by participants from AMISOM Troop Contributing Countries and partners from the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), the British Army and the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS).

The AU Envoy noted that the poor state of main supply routes in south-central Somalia had provided conditions for Al-Shabaab to continue laying ambushes and use IEDs against AMISOM convoys and Somali national security forces.

Madeira was speaking at seminar attended by participants from AMISOM Troop Contributing Countries and partners from the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), the British Army and the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS).

 

The seminar is a follow on to an inaugural seminar, which took place in September last year. This second seminar seeks to take stock of the threat posed by IED’s in Somalia and offer solutions as well as means to mobilise resources to continue countering it.