AMISOM POLICE newsletter APR-JUN 2016 Second Quarter 2016 Edition

Message from the Police Commissioner

Welcome to this edition of the AMISOM Police e-Newsletter. It is inspiring to note that during this period, AMISOM Police Component continued to provide a diverse range of capacity building initiatives and programmes designed to support Police, along the lines of police reform, training, mentoring, operational support and capacity enhancement, both in Mogadishu and in the Federal Member States.

The Individual Police Officers and Formed Police Units are collocated with the Somali Police at the Police Headquarters, the General Kahiye Police Academy, four Police Divisions in the Banaadir Region, and in the capitals of the Federal Member States, Baidoa, Kismayo and Beletweyne. They are not confined to the AMISOM Military protected areas, but deployed to volatile and unpredictable areas to support the Somali Police

Tremendous progress has been made in capacitating and “Currently there is an ongoing verification process to determine strengthening the Somali Police and the Somali Police that all Somali police officers registered are employed at their Institutions to empower and enable them to perform their functional positions within the organisation.” statutory functions, duties and responsibilities effectively. Anand Pillay However much still has to be done in developing and organising the Somali Police in a Federal Police System. The Somali Provisional Constitution provides for a two tier policing system, on a Federal Level and Federal Member State Level. Inside This Issue The delineation of the roles, functions, responsibilities, and accountability on the Federal Level and Federal Page 1 : Message from the Police Commisioner Member State Level is not provided for in the provisional Constitution. Similarly, the relationship, coordination and the Page 3 : Security in Somalia improving synchronisation between the Federal Level and Member State Level as well as between the Federal Member States is not Page 4 : More than 100 police officers graduate in clear. However, this will be addressed during the constitutional Kismayo review process and clearly identified in the final document which will be approved by the people of Somalia. Currently, Page 5 : AMISOM undertakes police reform only basic policing in terms of the Federal Police System initiatives in federal states framework has been agreed between the Federal Minister of Page 6 : Four hundred youths recruited to undergo Internal Security and the Federal State Ministers responsible police training for policing in their respective States. There is high hope that other critical issues of policing will also be agreed upon. Page 7 : AMISOM officers train on communication skills In effort to enhance its support to the Somali Police and Somali Page 8 : AMISOM Formed Police Unit helps Police Institutions, AMISOM reviewed its Police Concept of secure Mogadishu Operations (CONOPS) at a workshop held in Nairobi in June. The Page 10 : Question and Answer with the AMISOM workshop was attended by representatives of AMISOM Police, Police Training Coordinator Military and Civilian Components. African Union, UNSOM, UNSOS, Somali Police and donor community representatives Page 12 : Community policing song launched also attended the meeting, where the revised CONOPS was accepted and thereafter approved by the African Union, Peace and Security Council for implementation. Page 2 AMISOM Police Newsletter 2016

The AMISOM Police Component started implementing the reviewed tasks by helping the Somali Authorities conduct a Message from complete assessment of the current status of the Somali Police. The Police Commissioner A human resources management database was developed and all police officers biometrically registered on the database. cont’d Currently there is an ongoing verification process to determine that all police officers registered are employed at their The revised CONOPS provides clear guidelines to the AMISOM functional positions within the organisation. Two teams of Police Component in its mandate to help establish and reform police reform experts were deployed to Baidoa and Kismayo to Somali Police Institutions. The priorities are identified as follows; support South West and Jubbaland in establishing State Police a) Support the Somali Security forces in securing the 2016 forces. Technical Committees were formed in both States and Somali Electoral Process. the progress made has been encouraging. AMISOM Police intends to extend the process to the and Hiiraan/ b) Support the establishment of the Federal and Federal Shabelle, once the state formation process is completed. Member State Police Institutions. Currently, the initiatives taken are done in an informal manner c) Support the Somali Authorities to define the roles, without a clear Federal and Federal Member State Policing functions, responsibilities of the Federal Level and framework or system. It is the intention of AMISOM Police Federal Member State Level security forces to consult with the Federal Minister and State Ministers responsible for policing to decide on a comprehensive Federal d) Support the Somali Authorities to define the relationship, Policing Framework or System. This will be done after the coordination and synchronisation between the Federal completion of the 2016 Somali Electoral process. Similarly, Level and Member State Level as well as between the AMISOM Police intends to vigorously engage partners and Federal Member States. donors to support the Somali Police in a coordinated manner e) Support the Somali Authorities develop policy guidelines according to their needs and aspirations. and standard operational procedures to assist in the The AMISOM exit strategy does not affect the AMISOM interim management, administration, control, and Police Component. It is expected that the AMISOM Military accountability of the Somali Police in the absence of Component will drawdown from October 2018 with the final promulgated police legislation, regulations and orders. withdrawal in 2020. In view of the drawdown of the Military, e) Support the Somali Authorities to identify the structures the CONOPS makes provisions for a gradual shift from military on each level within the Federal and Federal Member to police-led security operations. This means that the AMISOM States Policing framework or system and define the Police numbers will increase in order to assist and support roles, functions, responsibilities, and accountability of the development of the Somali Police to effectively police the each of the functional police positions within the country. structures. This was brief summary of the Police CONOPS and the f) Conduct a complete assessment of the Somali Police expectations required from the Police Component. However, to determine their current status and thereafter it is important to note that all will not be possible without determine their needs or requirements in terms of the contribution of the dedicated members of the Police personnel, training and resources that is required to Component, our partners, donors, the International Community effectively police Somalia within Federal and Federal and the leadership of the Somali Police Intuitions. I wish to Member States structures. express my sincere appreciation to all involved in the support to the Somali Police. g) Support the Somali Police through partners and donors Thank you, to pension aged police personnel and retire those who are deemed unfit for service. i) Support the Somali Police through partners and donors to reform and develop the Somali Police and Police Institutions, according to their needs as determined through the assessments conducted on both the Federal and Federal Member State level in a gradual, systematic, structured and sustainable manner.

Click Here To Watch The AMISOM Police Documentary AMISOM Police Newsletter Page 3 2016

Security in Somalia is improving the police service, currently receiving training and mentorship from AMISOM Police, is becoming stronger by the day, focusing on says Somali Federal Police Force internal security and learning fast from terror attacks that take Commissioner place in Mogadishu and elsewhere.

The strong collaboration on matters security between the African “People do not realize the improvements made in security. They Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the Somali Police Forces only comment when there is an explosion or suicide attack. is beginning to bear fruit. These attacks will continue as long as we have radicalized youths. It is not an easy thing as it is also happening in the developed According to Somali Federal Police Force Commissioner, Gen countries. However, since 2010, we are in a better state of Mohammed Sheikh Hamud, the country’s security has been security”, Gen. Hamud told a group of journalists from troop and improving following the strengthening of the police force despite police contributing countries. the constant threat of terrorist attacks from Al-Shabaab. The journalists were in Mogadishu to report on Somalia and the Gen Hamud who spoke at a joint media briefing attended by the steps AMISOM has made in stabilizing the country and degrading AMISOM Police Commissioner, Anand Pillay, in April, noted that Al-Shabaab.

The Somali Federal Police Force Commissioner, Maj. Gen. Mohamed Sheikh Hassan Hamud (right) flanked by the AMISOM Police Commissioner Anand Pillay address journalists at a press conference in Mogadishu, Somalia

Brig. Gen. Pillay concurred with the Gen. Hamud’s remarks saying has already made appeals to the international community for the country’s revamped police force is being structured to more weaponry to be used in maintaining law and order. accommodate the new federal system of government. “We have His remarks came days after the Security Council expressed revised our concept of operations to align with the new political grave concern at the fragility of the security situation in Somalia status. Now we are in all the Somali regions”, the AMISOM Police but paid tribute to African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) Commissioner said. and the Somali Security Forces for their efforts in reducing the AMISOM offers 12 week basic training courses for the Somalia threat posed by Al-Shabaab. police officers before their deployment, followed by on-the-job training.

Gen. Hamud said the force needed more ammunition and equipment to bring it up to full capacity. The Federal Government Page 4 AMISOM Police Newsletter 2016

Ready to serve; more than 100 Somali “You are needed to keep the culture and discipline and to serve the people. Don’t misuse your positions and power in the Police officers graduate in Kismayo community. Endeavour to assist the vulnerable and don’t misuse

A total of 198 Somali police graduated in Kismayo in May, this your weapons,” the Somali Police Commissioner advised the new year, after a three-month intensive training, organized by AMISOM officers. Police. The new officers have already been deployed to Kismayo The Deputy Special Representative of the African Union town to maintain law and order. Commission Chairperson (DSRCC) for Somalia, Lydia Wanyoto,

They formed the first batch of 600 officers from Jubbaland, emphasized the important role played by local security trained with funding from UK’s Department for International institutions. She asked the new officers to uphold discipline and Development (DFID). impact positively on the lives of the communities they serve.

The training focused on basic principles of policing, arrest She made a case for recruitment of more female officers into the of suspects and public order management. The recruits were police force, saying the move will help strengthen the country’s also taught aspects of human rights law to ensure they uphold security forces. There were only 12 women police officers out of international standards of policing while on duty. the 198 officers who graduated.

Jubbaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam, the Deputy Special “We would like to see more women join the . I Representative of the African Union Commission Chairperson for applaud the 12 that are already with us, to serve the community. Somalia (DSRCC), Lydia Wanyoto, Somali Police Commissioner, I congratulate them in addition to their male counterparts,” said General Mohammed Sheikh Hamud, AMISOM Police Commissioner, Ms Wanyoto. Anand Pillay, and the UN Police Commissioner, Christopher Buik, AMISOM Police Commissioner, Anand Pillay, expressed the were among dignitaries who attended the passing out ceremony commitment of the Force to continue mentoring and training the held in Kismayo. Somali police officers, while the Interim Jubbaland Administration

Somali Police Commissioner, General Mohamed Hassan Hamud, President, Ahmed Mohamed Islam, urged them to uphold a high urged the officers to be diligent in their work and help keep sense of discipline and professionalism. Somalia safe. AMISOM Police Newsletter Page 5 2016

AMISOM undertakes police reform initiatives in federal states

AMISOM Police Commissioner Anand Pillay with Jubbaland Administration Officials in a meeting to discuss Training of 600 Police Recruits

The AMISOM Police Component deployed two teams of police ensure effective and efficient administrative and operational reform experts to South West State and Jubbaland to help the management of the force. The Police Technical Committees have two federal states establish police institutions as prescribed in already on the organizational structure with the corresponding the Somali Provisional Constitution. duties and responsibilities. However, the organizational struc- ture will have to be formally adopted by the authorities of the The team engaged with the relevant authorities in the two Federal and Federal Member States during consultations on a states and helped form technical committees to spearhead comprehensive Somali Policing Framework. the establishment of the State Police Institutions. A complete assessment also was conducted to determine the current status It is gratifying to note that the State Policing Institutions are of policing in the two states and the requirements needed to becoming a reality with the South West State of Somalia having establish a fully functional State Police Institution. 600 police officers trained and deployed and the Jubbaland State of Somalia the state having 400 police trained and de- In addition, an elaborate Reform and Development Plan was ployed. This was made possible through AMISOM personnel who drafted by the Police Technical Committee in each state to provided the training, with the Department for International capacitate the State Police Institutions, with special reference to Development (DFID) donating the funds. infrastructure development, personnel recruitment and provi- sion of logistics and equipment. Currently, AMISOM is concentrating on basic police training, the provision of infrastructure and basic logistics and equipment A proposed structure for the State Police Forces was also for the police officers to be able to provide an effective policing developed, stipulating command and control and respective service to their communities. duties and responsibilities at each level. The structure also establishes department and units within the state police to Page 6 AMISOM Police Newsletter 2016

Four hundred youths recruited to undergo police training in Baidoa and Kismayo

AMISOM Police and the Somali Police Force officials conducted to pass out. We are now preparing, vetting the next two hundred, a major recruitment exercise in the South West and Jubbaland whom we are targeting for the next phase of training. It is federal states in April and May this year. necessary to vet them because we want to get young and vibrant people who will safe guard the security of Kismayo,’’ explained The exercise in which saw a total of 400 youths recruited (200 Chief Superintendent Samaila. for each state), to undergo an intensive three months intensive training, also involved regional administration officials and traditional elders. “We did phase one in which 200 recruits The process included taking recruits’ photos, fingerprints and were trained and deployed. Phase two of other biometric data, as well as medical and physical check-up. Vetting of recruits partially aims to bar infiltration of Al-Shabaab the training was completed last month. militants into the force. The recruits also underwent literacy tests The one we are currently conducting to determine their fluency in relevant languages. This is important is phase three comprising 200 recruits because policing also involves effective communication. making a total of 600” ~ AMISOM Chief Superintendent of Police, Saleh Samaila. In the South West State of Somalia (SWSS), the exercise completed the 600 officers target AMISOM Police had pledged to train for SWSS with funding from DFID.

“We did phase one in which 200 recruits were trained and deployed. Phase two of the training was completed last month. The one we are currently conducting is phase three comprising 200 recruits making a total of 600,” said AMISOM Chief Superintendent of Police, Saleh Samaila.

The deployment of the 600-strong police force of SWSS is expected to improve public safety and security in the region and further bring policing closer to the community in Baidoa.

In Kismayo, the exercise, conducted in May, was the second phase of vetting and recruitment for the Jubbaland Police. The recruits underwent a 3-month intensive course before their deployment to rural locations in Jubbaland state.

“The first two hundred (trained in phase 1) are already prepared AMISOM Police Newsletter Page 7 2016

AMISOM Police officers train on communication skills

Thirty-nine AMISOM Police officers underwent a communication course in April to empower them with the necessary skills needed to mentor their Somali Police Force counterparts.

The one-week course focused on mentoring skills and adherence to the Police Code of Conduct whiles serving at the Mission.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Francis Aryee, who spoke at the function, said training was important in the mentorship programme and helping the Federal Government establish the necessary security institutions.

ACP Aryee urged the officers to transfer the knowledge acquired to their colleagues in the sectors, adding that the move would ensure the necessary training and mentoring standards are maintained.

“To be able to justify our presence here we need to tell the outside world and those who established this Mission exactly what we are doing to build the capacity of the Somali Police, reform and restructure their programs. If we do not do that we will be failing not only the Mission but also ourselves,” he said.

Assistant Superintendent of Police, Albert Akpoilih, one of the trainers, said the course was part of a series of in-house trainings aimed at improving the skills of AMISOM police officers to ensure effective execution of their mandate.

The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) Police officers in a group photo at the end of a communication and presentation skills course held in Mogadishu Page 8 AMISOM Police Newsletter 2016 AMISOM Formed Police Unit helps secure Mogadishu

Security officers from AMISOM and Somali Police worked round grenades at police stations. We worked hard to thwart their the clock to lock out Al-Shabaab from breaching the peace during plans,” says Capt. Abubakar. the Holy Month of Ramadan. The officer said the joint security operations yielded positive According to senior security officials at AMISOM, the officers results as security officers recovered illegal weapons and had to stay on high alert to thwart heinous plans by Al-Shabaab arrested suspected terrorists. militants who normally go on overdrive to inflict maximum Some of the weapons recovered during the operations included damage during Ramadan. As a result, securing Mogadishu city automatic rifles, pistols, bombs, grenades and ammunition, was top priority. military uniforms, radio communication equipment, motor The two security teams conducted night patrols, as well as cordon vehicles, motorcycles, mobile phones and counterfeit currencies. and search operations to apprehend suspected criminals and Al- Though the operations have helped improve security in the capital Shabaab militants bent on destabilising public peace. city, the officers acknowledged the achievements normally come According to Superintendent of Police, Samuel Aliria Abbedi, at a cost. A Nigerian FPU officer narrated an incident in which AMISOM Formed Police Unit Commander, who recently rotated AMISOM-SP team came under Al-Shabaab fire while on routine out, joint patrols were conducted both day and night during the night patrol. “We fought them off for an entire three hours and month of June. and managed to overpower them. Security normally comes at a cost,” he narrated. “As AMISOM Police, we showed our Somali Police colleagues, ways of beefing up security and we also did share intelligence with them. We cooperated very well during the Month of Ramadan,” said Abbedi.

Capt. Fuad Abubakar, the Somali Federal Police Officer in charge of operations against Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), confirmed the security forces were able to minimize cases of insecurity during the Holy Month of Ramadan due to the high- level cooperation with AMISOM Police officers.

“Al-Shabaab normally carries out attacks during the first 10 days A police officer stands on parade during preparations by the as well as in the middle of the Ramadan fasting season. They AMISOM police component, to conduct patrols in Mogadishu city carry out attacks such as launching mortars in town and hurling during the holy month of Ramadan. AMISOM Police Newsletter Page 9 2016

fasting and prayers, threats against them are heightened. We Mogadishu city secured during have done a threat assessment analysis and have put in place Ramadan strategies to enable us provide protection and security to residents of Somalia during the month of Ramadhan,” AMISOM This year’s Holy Month of Ramadan was observed peacefully in Assistant Commissioner of Police, Francis Ayitey Aryee, said while the capital city following the beefing up of security by AMISOM flagging off the operation. and Somali Police. Apart from routine patrols, the officers set up snap check points The officers were deployed to work hand in hand with the Somali and took part in cordon and search operations, all aimed at Police Force officers to ensure members of the public go about securing Mogadishu and preventing terrorist activities by Al- their normal activities without disruptions. Shabaab militants.

The officers comprised personnel from the Formed Police Units The Acting AMISOM Police Operations Coordinator, Emmanuel (FPUs) of Uganda and Nigeria, and Individual Police Officers (IPOs) Mukama, said the team was being deployed in a support role. and were stationed at key and strategic locations as part of new measures to help curb insecurity and maintain peace during “They are deployed to support the Somali Police in town. There Ramadan observed in June. were areas that were allocated to the Somali Police Force after Mogadishu was zoned into four areas. Our mandate is to support “Experience has shown that in the month of Ramadan, whereas the Somali Police Force,” Mukama said. our brothers and sisters engage in communing with Allah through

A police officer serving in the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) in an armoured vehicle. Page 10 AMISOM Police Newsletter 2016 Q and A with ACP Francis Aryee AMISOM Police Training and Development Coordinator

Security is paramount for any country coming out of a pro-longed civil war and Somalia is not an exception. AMISOM has been active in helping the country establish a strong police unit capable of restoring law and order. AMISOM Police Training Coordinator, Francis Aryee, explained why establishing a strong Somali Police is critical.

The mandate of the AMISOM Police is to build individual and Recruiting women into the police force is still a challenge. Are institutional capacity of the Somali Police Force. One of the key there any incentives in place to encourage women to join Somali interventions is training Somali Police Force officers. How is it Police Force? contributing to the stabilization of Somalia? Currently, we have 6, 124 SPF officers, 688 of whom are female. You will recall that the Somali Police Force virtually collapsed Getting women involved in policing is of vital importance. Apart after the onset of the civil war. Since the intervention of AMISOM from being one of the ways of effecting gender equality, women and the international community to restore stability, there has are capable of providing effective policing services to all gender. been need to re-activate the force and raise its level of policing When the memorandum of understanding for recruitment and to internationally accepted standards. This entails having a police training of police officers was signed between Department for force that is not only capable of providing protection, safety International Development (DFID) and the regional states, it was and security to the communities they serve, but also capable of agreed that every group of 200 trained, at least 10 percent must discharging its policing role and responsibilities, while respecting be women. and promoting human rights and rule of law. How long do the training courses for SPF last and is the period In cognisance of this fact, AMISOM Police, has been involved in adequate enough to recruit and train an individual to fully the basic recruit training and cadet training and also offering become an officer? necessary advice to the force. AMISOM Police has placed a lot of In the regional states, the basic recruits program lasts three emphasis on on-the-job training and practical training through months. The cadet-level training for the SPF lasts at least six mentoring and advising Somali Police Forces. months. However, policing is not done in the classroom, it is AMISOM Police Newsletter Page 11 2016 practiced. The police component has a group of mentors, who and we hope it will be fully implemented because that is what go to various police stations to mentor the SPF. So we consider the police will rely on in executing their mandate. that as on-the-job training and that is very practical. Apart from Community policing is an integral part of policing worldwide. the theory lessons, which comprise scenarios and simulation How is AMISOM helping Somali Police implement community exercises, the officers learn on the job with the help of mentors. policing? The training strategic plan comprises basic recruit training, cadet training, refresher courses and specialised courses. We have trained a number of the SPF in community policing and together we have developed a Community Policing Strategy, which One of the ways AMISOM trains Somali Police Force (SPF) is is being finalised. A community policing song has been developed through mentorship programmes. How is this progressing? and launched. Community policing is also incorporated in our One of the key aspects of this is co-location, which provides the training programs, for instance, in the basic recruit training, opportunity to build the necessary trust and rapport. It gives us we take them through community policing and its principles. the opportunity to see what the SPF officers are doing and to offer This is pro-active policing, quite different from traditional the necessary advice. The overall objective is that we want them policing, which is reactive. In a post-conflict environment like to offer policing as per internationally accepted standards. The this, community policing is key. Policing is supposed to be for challenge we have is that we are yet to identify all the SPF officers the community, with the community and by the community. to mentor. This is because the department is undergoing a major Therefore, we must engage the community to determine the restructuring process aimed at strengthening the department. existing security problems and involve them in finding solutions, However, there is hope we will be able to identify all the officers, as well as in the implementation of those solutions. once the biometric registration exercise is completed. Lately criminals and terrorists have been engaging in For any security programme to be effective there must be asymmetrical warfare going for soft targets like hotels, adequate security infrastructure, which Somalia lacks. How restaurants, public transport especially in Mogadishu. How can challenging is the infrastructure problem in Somalia? the situation be improved?

Decades of civil war have degraded the country’s infrastructure Countering terrorism will require a two-pronged approach, which is important in recovery and stabilization. This is a big that is, prevention and mitigation. Prevention works through challenge and a holistic approach is required to correct the strengthening intelligence gathering and acting on the information situation. The police department will function better and be able gathered. We also need to review our policing strategies from to meet the expectations of the population only if appropriate time to time and heighten our levels of security. Nothing should structures are in place. It not only includes logistics and be taken for granted. More importantly, basic needs of the police equipment but also knowledge and skills. Police reforms, for officers must be met. It is difficult to get the best out of police example, cannot achieve positive results without an effective officers who have gone for months without their pay. This lowers and efficient justice system. In addition the framework for a new their morale. It is stated in the constitution of many countries model of policing in Somalia that introduces the Federal Police that police should be well catered for and adequately equipped Force and the State Police Force is a move in the right direction to perform their duties of maintaining law and order. Page 12 AMISOM Police Newsletter AMISOM2016 and Somali Police Force launch community policing song

Invited guests, members of the community, Somali and AMISOM Police officers join Somali singers performing a jig during the launch of the Somali Police community policing song held in Mogadishu.

“The community policing song aims to integrate the public with the Somali Police. AMISOM has played a crucial role in the preparation of the song. The Police exist to serve the community, but if the police and the community don’t work together, there is no reliable security.” ~ Somali Federal Police Force Commissioner Major General Mohamud Sheikh Hassan Hamud Click Here To Play Community Policing Song

A community police song aimed at rallying the public to together, there is no reliable security,” the Somali Federal support police efforts to maintain law and order was Police Force Commissioner Major General Mohamud Sheikh launched in Mogadishu. Hassan Hamud said.

The song which received positive reception from the public The lyrics of the song are a composition of encouraging both on broadcast media and YouTube was launched by the messages that support police-public partnerships. Somali Police with the help of AMISOM Police. “We have 14 officers who have recently graduated and The launch of the song was a culmination of a series of we are very pleased to have these officers here with us community policing sensitization activities conducted by today” said the Police Commissioner, during the launch. both AMISOM Police and Somali Police Force. The objective The 14 officers were awarded certificates for successfully of community policing is to encourage residents to play completing an intensive policing course. a bigger role in keeping their neighbourhoods safe and AMISOM Police Commissioner Anand Pillay attended the secure. It also encourages communities to collaborate with launch of the community policing song. Others were senior security agencies on security matters. officials from the Somali Police Force and the Federal The song, which was launched at a ceremony held in the Government of Somalia. capital Mogadishu and presided over by Somali Prime The Somali Police Force with assistance from the police Minister, Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, marshals peace- component of the African Union Mission in Somalia is loving to take keen interest and responsibility for spearheading community policing projects in Mogadishu’s their safety and security. 15 districts, Jubbaland and the Interim South West “The community policing song aims to integrate the public Administration. with the Somali Police. AMISOM has played a crucial role in the preparation of the song. The Police exist to serve the community, but if the police and the community don’t work