Somalia unveils security plan ahead of August elections

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: The National Elections Security Committee which will oversee the security of the upcoming elections will comprise eight individuals and supported by the federal and regional police bosses.

A Security Plan shared by the Office of the Prime Minister Sunday indicates that the National Electoral Security Committee (NESC) will have one representative each from the Ministry of Defence, AMISOM Police and UN Police. The Office of the PM will second three individuals while the Somali Police Force will send in two representatives.

The NESC will also be supported by Board Members from all the FMS police heads and Banadir Regional Administration. The board which reports to the OPM will be headed by AMISOM Police head and the Somali Police Force Commissioner.

Additionally, there will also be a State Election Security Working Committee (SEWC) which draws membership from civil society organisations, state governments security offices, district police commandants, SNA chief of defense forces, intelligence director general, head of police in Federal Member States, AMISOM, Banadir head of police, and ministry of defence. The darawish paramilitary unit head will also be part of the committee.

The SEWC will be chaired by police commanders from all the Federal Member States. The Security Plan also provides for the formation of the Banadir Regional Electoral Security Working Group. The group which shall be headed by the Banadir regional police commandant will have members from the SNA head, AMISOM police and military, Banaadir prisons boss, civil society organisations and the ministry of defence.

The teams will work together in securing the elections slated for August this year.