International community has not effectively supported Amisom-Guterres

U.N. Secretary general Antonio Guterres addresses a news conference after his meeting with Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu March 7, 2017 REUTERS/Feisal Omar

The African union force is not effectively funded to deliver on its mandate in stabilizing Somalia, UN Secretary General António Guterres has said.

Speaking in Mogadishu after meeting the country’s leadership, Guteress noted the force which marked its ten years since entry into Somalia this past week lacked proper support from the international community.

The UN chief who saluted Amisom for its work in Somalia said, “Amisom has not been effectively helped by the international community. It is important to support Amisom.”

Guterres’ remarks come amid concerns of underfunding for the force following a 20% cut on stipends by the European Union last February. The African Union and particularly troops contributing countries have opposed calls for financial support of the force noting the responsibility of maintaining world peace fell squarely within the province of the UN Security Council.

The UN chief however noted building a strong and effectively Somali security infrastructure was the surest way to stabilizing Somalia in the long term.

“It is also important to support the government to create a truly national Somali army and Somali police because only them can fully be able to protect the country in relation to terrorism; only them can create conditions for Somalia to be able to avoid in future the kind of tragedy that Somalis facing today.” Said Guterres.

The UN boss called for international support for the new administration to enable it ‘provide effective services to the population’.