Statement by President Uhuru Kenyatta During the High Level Meeting of Amisom Troop and Police Contributing Countries

From President.go.ke

Excellencies,

Heads of State and Government,

Distinguished Delegates,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I take this opportunity at the outset to express my gratitude to H.E Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, and H.E Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission for convening this High Level Meeting of AMISOM Troop and Police Contributing Countries. This meeting accords us a rare opportunity to collectively review the security situation in Somalia generally, and to evaluate the achievements, challenges and revitalisation of AMISOM, in particular. Undoubtedly, the African Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), working in concert with the Somali National Army (SNA), have made significant achievements that have substantially degraded the capability of Al Shabaab.

A result of these combined operations has been the recovery of large areas of the Republic of Somalia, that were hitherto under the control of the Al Shabaab.The liberation of these areas has altered the security landscape, offering a welcome opportunity for the Government of Somalia to broaden accessto state governance. This has created hope for the people tore-build their shattered lives.

Excellencies,

These achievements notwithstanding, Somalia is still faced with security threats and the Al Shabaab threat still spurns beyond the territory of this sisterly nation.While the mandate of AMISOM has served us well, to degrade the Al Shabaab threat, it falls short of catalyzing total defeat of these terrorist actors and agents. The current AMISOM mandate – endorsed by the UN Security Council – seeks to reduce or degrade the threat of Al Shabaab.T he nature of this mandate has somewhat translated into insufficient number of troops to hold areas liberated from al-Shabaab, while sustaining the military offensive. Consequently, this has provided a window for the Al Shabaab to regroup and undertake a hit-and-run attacks on soft civilian targets and military personnel.

For Kenya, this situation has translated into displacing the threat and risk into our territory. As pressure is exerted on the Al Shabaab in Somalia, they have disintegrated into smaller groups that have crossed the porous border into Kenya and used the forests to carry out attacks that threaten border areas, and provide basis for launching operations deeper into the nation.

The nature of the mandate also means that the AMISOM remains dependent on limited and varied capabilities without sufficient force multipliers,making it largely a land based force, despite a threat that manifest both in terms of the sea and air spaces.Furthermore, this situation is aggravated by the lack of predictable funding for AMISOM, thereby posing serious challenges to logistical and operational planning. Excellencies,Distinguished Delegates,We cannot continue on a path where AMISOM liberates areas from Al Shabaab but then allows the group time to regroup.

The people of Somalia, the region, and the International Community deserve a definite outcome.  As a Troop Contributing Country, I recommend four core areas, which need urgent attention in order to mitigate the challenges in AMISOM operation: Firstly, AMISOM requires a strengthened mandate from the UN Security Council that specifies the defeat of the Al Shabaab as the end the endgame.

Second, this mandate must reflect the desire that has been expressed by the AU to the UNSC since the commencement of AMISOM, for the approval for the right troop levels. The need for a surge that allows AMISOM that provides for a robust presence that is able to liberate and sustain success on the ground cannot be gain said.

Furthermore, it is imperative to undertake assessment of sectoral deployment, sectoral performance and the necessary reconfiguration to seal the gaps that are allowing the Al Shabaab threat to be displaced into neighbouring countries. The next phase of AMISOM must also focus attention on conditions necessary for rehabilitation and reconstruction of Somalia.

In this regard, the primacy of creating conditions that promote the return of Somali refugees is key to supporting the rebuilding of their country. Finally, the International Community, reflecting our collective responsibility for global peace and security must provide AMISOM with sufficient resources. To enable a surge that responds to practical military advice, to provide force multipliers in air and naval assets, and to increase stabilisation and developmental efforts in liberated areas.

Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,

We must remind the International Community that even as security and refugee crises draw our attention elsewhere, Somalia should remain a top priority. In fact, the work we have undertaken in Somalia within the ambit of AMISOM offer the world an unprecedented opportunity to turn Somalia around, the world cannot turn its back on this sisterly nation.

It must be a priority, if we are to stave off the opportunities that can be exploited by global terrorist networks in the horn of Africa region. I reiterate my Government’s and the Kenyan peoples’ unwavering support and commitment to the realisation of a stableSomalia.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND ATTENTION