Uhuru urges AU to expand AMISOM mandate

President Uhuru Kenyatta has called for a review of the African Mission in Somalia (AMISOM)’s mandate to change its rules of engagement as it fights to eradicate militants in Somalia.

President Kenyatta also called for more resources for the forces in Somalia so that AMISOM could have robust power on land, air and the sea.

He said it was sad that the forces deployed in Somalia to face terrorists and hardened criminals lacked air and maritime components in a country that has a coastline of more than 3000 km.

President Kenyatta, while addressing the African Union Peace and Security Council, said Amisom has made gains from the time it deployed forces in Somalia but now was the time to change gear and allow the soldiers in Somalia to root out the terrorists to enable the Federal Government of Somalia to recover the entire territory.

“The objective was to support the Federal Government of Somalia to recover the entire territory of Somalia by 2015, in time for the 2016 general elections.

It is clear that this objective has not been achieved and it points to the need to vary the mandate of AMISOM,” the President said.

“In order to achieve this strategic objective, AMISOM requires a reviewed mandate to enable its troops match the changing tactics,” said the President.

President Kenyatta said terrorists were changing tactics and security forces in neighbouring countries, as well as AMISOM, should take necessary action to stay steps ahead.

He said Kenya managed to foil many planned terror attacks after it established inter-agency modalities.