POLICE Newsletter JAN-MAR 2016 First Quarter 2016 Edition

AMISOM POLICE newsletter JAN-MAR 2016 First Quarter 2016 Edition

“AMISOM’s success is not determined by the numerous activities, but by the outcome of our undertakings in augmenting peace Message from and security efforts in Somalia” Anand Pillay the Police Commissioner

Welcome to this edition of the AMISOM Police e-Newsletter. This being the ﬁrst edition this year it is worthy to note that during the past year, AMISOM Police Inside The Issue Component excelled in providing a diverse range of capacity building initiatives and programmes, designed to support Somali Police along the lines of police reform, Page 1 : Message from the Police Commisioner training, mentoring, operational support, and capacity enhancement. Page 2 : Bringing Police Services closer to the people

Central to these initiatives was the realigning of the Page 4 : Training and mentorship AMISOM Police deployments, from the military sector boundaries to that of the Federal and the regional Page 6 - Matters Policy Member State boundaries, to provide support to the Federal Police structures and re-establish policing in Page 7 : Transforming the lives of Somali Women the recently established Federal States of Somalia, as provided for in the Provisional Constitution of Somalia. Page 8 : Operational Support

AMISOM Police’s efforts in establishing the State Police Page 10 : Q & A with the SPF Commissioner in the Federal Member States of Somalia, began with the process of recruitment, selection, and vetting of Page 12 : Community Policing potential candidates for police for the Jubbaland State of Somalia and South West State of Somalia. The training of Page 13 : Leadership Training the successful candidates began last year. Two hundred and four hundred police ofﬁcers have been trained in Jubbaland State and South West State respectively. Page 2 AMISOM Police Newsletter 2016

Bringing police Message from services closer to the The Police Commissioner cont’d people

This process is ongoing and will culminate in well-established police institutions, on the Federal State Level, with highly skilled police ofﬁcers who are able to perform their policing functions in a professional manner.

AMISOM through the quick impact projects was able to either build new police stations or rehabilitate existing police stations structures in Dhobley, Cadaale, Mahaas and Jalalaqsi, thereafter, police officers were deployed to each of the stations as part of the process of deploying police officers and extending state authority to areas previously occupied by Al Shabaab. Similarly, a modern police station was constructed at the Aden Abdulle International Airport and AMISOM Police Commisioner Anand Pillay and former SPF Commisioner the late Gen. Mohamed Sheikh Hassan Ismael during the laying of the foundation for the handed over to the FGS, Deputy Minister of Internal Security and the Airport Police Station SPF leadership. The lack of policing infrastructure, mainly furnished and As part of AMISOM Police efforts to promote gender equality and equipped stations, is one of the key challenges facing the awareness of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV), AMISOM Somali Police. To mitigate the challenge, AMISOM Police is has partnered with the SPF and trained police officers from Baidoa, working closely with development partners, to establish Beletweyne and Mogadishu on SGBV and Child Protection. AMISOM policing infrastructure critical for the restoration of rule of further supported SPF in establishing fully equipped gender desks law in the country. In Mogadishu, a newly constructed police at SPF and CID Headquarters, Abdul Aziz Police station, Baidoa and station at Aden Abdulle International Airport was handed over Beletweyne police stations, which are staffed by trained SPF officers, to the Somali Police on February 6, 2016, replacing the 40-year- who provide the required services to the victims of SGBV. old structure that had been in place.

Building strong police institutions at both Federal and Federal Aden Abdulle International Airport is the main gateway into Member State levels that have the ability and capacity to be and out of Somalia, with hundreds of travellers using its responsive to the people of Somalia, to protect lives and property facilities daily. The new police station is thus expected to and to ensure that citizens and residents of Somalia enjoy peace, facilitate an enabling environment for crime prevention and security and stability, and capacitating the SPF ability to operate policing activities necessary to ensure the security and safety within the rule of law, are our key objectives. of the Airport.

Gains evident in this newsletter would not have been possible, if it While handing over the station, the Special Representative of was not for AMISOM Partners who have supported our activities both the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for logistically and ﬁnancially. AMISOM Police values their engagement Somalia and Head of the African Union Mission in Somalia and will continue to count on their continued support, as the (AMISOM), Ambassador Francisco Madeira, reiterated the unit goes all-out to lay the foundational pillars for the Reform, importance of supporting the strengthening of Somali security Restructuring and Development of Police Institutions in the Federal institutions for law and order to be ensured. States of Somalia.

We will continue to remain steadfast in our work, enhance our partnership with SPF and other partners, towards the realization of a peaceful and stable country, enjoying the services of trained, professional and equipped Somali Police that is accountable to the law, to the government and to the people of Somalia.

Thank you, Anand Pillay

A band performs outside the newly built Airport Police Station during its ofﬁcial opening AMISOM Police Newsletter Page 3 2016

“Like other airports across the world, this Airport presents a “Having a professional policing capability at the Airport will potential target for terrorists. This Airport Police Station is create the feeling of safety and security for the locals and therefore expected to provide a wide range of law enforcement visitors entering Somalia,” the Police Commissioner said. duties, including patrols, investigations, control and response Somali Police Force Commissioner, Maj. General Mohamed to airport emergencies amongst others,” Ambassador Madeira Sheikh Hassan Hamud, thanked AMISOM for its continuous noted. support, noting that the new police station will greatly beneﬁt the Somali people. The fully furnished station was handed over to the Deputy Minister of Internal Security, Abdi Nasri Mohamed Ali, at a ceremony attended by the AMISOM Police Commissioner, Anand Pillay, and his Somali counterpart, Maj. General Mohamed Sheikh Hassan Hamud, together with other senior AMISOM, Somali police and military ofﬁcers.

AMISOM Police Commissioner, Anand Pillay, described the handover ceremony as a historic event that demonstrates a collective effort and resolve towards restoration of peace and AU Special Representative for Somalia Amb. Francisco Madeira and Somali Deputy Minister of Internal Security Mr. Abdinasir Mohamed Ali cutting tape during the stability in Somalia. opening of the Airport Police Station in Mogadishu.

New policing Infrastructure for Internal Security of the Interim Jubba Administration, General Dhobley Mohamed Darwish, thanked AMISOM for the enduring commitment and partnership to the restoration of peace in Somalia.

In Dhobley, Lower Jubba Region, AMISOM Police marked yet The AMISOM Police Commissioner Anand Pillay in a speech read another milestone in strengthening the Somali Police by handing on his behalf by AIG Amadu Mannah thanked the Interim Juba over a newly refurbished police station on February 1, 2016. The Administration for demonstrating political will in law enforcement renovation was part of the Quick Impact Projects (QIPS) undertaken that complies with and adheres to internationally accepted by AMISOM, aimed at beeﬁng security in rural areas. principles of democratic policing. Speaking during the handover of the station, the Minister of

Policing enhanced in Hiiraan region prioritize human resource and security infrastructure, adding that Somali Police Force was currently focusing on training as well as providing the necessary equipment needed to maintain The communities in Jalalaqsi and Mahas districts, in Hiiraan law and order. region, now have access to policing services, following the construction of a new police station in the former and “As you are aware this is part of the stabilization plan and is not refurbishment of another in the latter. The stations were an easy task,” noted the Somali Police Commissioner, who also handed over to the communities in March 2016. called for more assistance.

These are expected to not only enhance the safety and security in the region, but also to restore the rule of law. The construction is part of the ongoing effort by AMISOM to restore governance in areas recovered from Al Shabaab. Speaking at the handover of the station in Mahas, AMISOM Deputy Police Commissioner, Christine Alalo, said the handing over of the two police stations was part of AMISOM’s efforts of not only strengthening policing but also making working conditions for ofﬁcers suitable. As part of the program, 10 police ofﬁcers from Mogadishu were also deployed to the station to help in the stabilization process.

In Jalalaqsi, Somali Police Force Commissioner, Maj. Gen. Mohamed Sheikh Hamud, observed that given the magnitude Hiiraan Police Commander, Col. Isaak Ali Abdulle speaks at a ceremony to hand over a of the challenges facing the police force, it was necessary to renovated police station for the Somali Police Force (SPF) held in Mahas, Hiiraan region Page 4 AMISOM Police Newsletter 2016

Training & Mentorship

AMISOM Police Team Site 3 Mentors Co-locate with their SPF counterparts at Abdul Aziz Police Station-Mogadishu

In line with its mandate of improving security, AMISOM Police continues to conduct training for the Somali Police, with 6000 ofﬁcers already trained since 2009. Training is a key tool in building the capacity of the Somali Police to enable it provide quality service to the public. This is reinforced by on the job mentorship targeting both individuals and organizational units.

AMISOM mentors based in Mogadishu, Kismayo, Baidoa, and Belet Weyne co-locate with their Somali Police counterparts daily to assist individual officers with practical information and skills to enhance compliance to internationally accepted standards of policing. Presently, over 3000 Somali Police officers working at various levels are benefitting from the programme.

AMISOM Police trainers have conducted a number of trainings (some are ongoing) for the Somalia Police during the period under review. These include: Baidoa Phase 2 Basic Recruits Course for 200 recruits, Cadet Officers Course for 88 cadets, Human Rights Training for 25 SPF Officers, Basic Recruits Course for 200 recruits in Kismayo and Community Policing Course for ISWA President Sharif Hassan Sheikh awards certificates to the best 200 youth volunteers. AMISOM Police is in the all-round Recruit Police process of developing training and guidance material for the Somali Police on the role of the police in the electoral process. AMISOM Police Newsletter Page 5 2016

AMISOM Police Welcomes New Training Coordinator

In the first quarter, AMISOM welcomed Ghanaian ACP, Francis Ayitey Aryee, into its family. Mr Aryee, who until the latest appointment was Chief Staff Officer in the Ghana Police Service, is expected to bolster the Mission’s police activities. A resourceful senior officer with 37 years of Public service, 19 of which are at the senior management level in the Ghana Police Service, Aryee brings extensive expertise and a wealth of experience to his new appointment.

Apart from having held senior positions in the Ghana Police Service, ACP ARYEE served in the African Union/United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) as the Training Coordinator from October 2009 to January 2014. He also served in United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) in various capacities between April 2004 and April 2005 as Induction Training Ofﬁcer, Training Instructor at Liberia Police Academy and Special Assistant to UNMIL Deputy Police ACP Aryee Commissioner.

Maj. Gen. Mohamed Sheikh Hassan Hamud, the Somali Police Two hundred Somali Police Force Commissioner reminded the new officers of their Recruits Graduate in Baidoa responsibility of maintaining law and order while protecting the rights of the people they serve. He urged them to be better Two hundred police recruits graduated on March 30, this year, role models in society, adding that they were the face of the after three months of training in Baidoa, the capital of the government in the eyes of the public. “The graduates are going Interim South West Administration (ISWA). The officers were through a historical change from recruits to fully fledged law deployed in Baidoa to strengthen the capacity of the Interim enforcers. The officers’ true character and professionalism will South West Administration (ISWA) police. be known when they commence work,” said Maj. Gen. Hamud.

Speaking at the pass-out ceremony, ISWA President, Sharif Hassan Sheikh, urged the officers to serve with honour and dignity to protect the interests of Somalia and its citizens. “You have been given the responsibility of maintaining peace. Your predecessors have done a good job in keeping the region safe. We want you to join them in strengthening our security further. We appreciate AMISOM for the training as well as the international partners who supported us financially,” said the ISWA President. While acknowledging structural gaps in the Somali Police cadets to serve in the Interim South West Administration (ISWA) on police force, the President assured officers of support from the parade during the pass-out ceremony in Baidoa Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), the ISWA authority and the international community. The Police Commissioner appealed to donors to support the force by providing the necessary equipment. AMISOM Police This is the second cohort of police recruits to graduate under Commissioner, Anand Pillay, congratulated the recruits for the program funded by the United Kingdom, bringing the total completing the program, and urged them to respect human number of graduands in Baidoa to 400. rights and abide by international humanitarian laws while executing their duties. The pass-out ceremony was attended by representatives from the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), the United “It is a joyous day to witness the graduation of the second batch Nations, the FGS, ISWA and members of the civil society. of South West State Police trainees who from today onwards will become officers in this state. This is impressive,” Commissioner Pillay said. Page 6 AMISOM Police Newsletter 2016 Amisom Rolls Out Biometric Registration of the Somali Police

AMISOM has developed software that will be used to improve An effective and reliable human resource management and handling of critical data by the Somali Police. management system was developed for The software, for example, will record biometric, personnel and the Somali Police by a Software Engineer professional details of all ofﬁcers serving in the Somali Police. attached to AMISOM Police Unit.

According to AMISOM the software will also provide accurate information on numbers and other details of Somali Police personnel at station, divisional and regional levels. The equipment to be used along with the software was also procured and purchased by AMISOM for use by the Somali Police Force’s human resource department and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.

AMISOM not only donated the equipment but also trained Somali Police ofﬁcers on the use of the equipment. Currently, more than 3676 police ofﬁcers’ details have been captured in the system.

The system will help AMISOM officers verify the presence of their The Deputy Police Commisioner of AMISOM Police Christine Alalo flanked by the SPF fellow Somali Police officers at their stations and divisions during Commisioner, Maj. General Mohamed Sheikh Hassan Hamud and other officers at a mentoring duties. AMISOM intends to roll out the system in the ceremony to hand over biometric and office equipment for the SPF held in Mogadishu. Federal States in Somalia.

Matters Policy

As part of institutional capacity building, AMISOM Police has embarked on supporting the Somali Police develop policy documents for proper governance. Some of the policy documents developed with the help of AMISOM are; Training Policy, Community Policing Strategy, Vision, Mission and Core Values, Recruitment and Selection Policy and Code of Conduct and Discipline which are all ready for approval and adoption.

The AMISOM team spearheading the process has so far expressed satisfaction with the progress made in propelling the Somali Police to the next level of professional policing.

An AMISOM Police ofﬁcer making a presentation on community policing strategy at the SPF Headquarters AMISOM Police Newsletter Page 7 2016

AMISOM Police Women and Children Protection focal point ASP Lydia Otu-Nyarko (centre) co-locates with her Somali Police counterparts at the SPF Headquarters Gender Desk

Transforming the lives of Somali Women Violence against women and girls is one of the most prevalent human rights violations in Somalia, although it largely remains masked in silence.

AMISOM Police is addressing the challenge by incorporating gender issues in all its activities, in line with the African Union Gender Policy and the AMISOM Gender Mainstreaming Strategy.

Training and campaigns on gender issues by AMISOM is aimed at enhancing the awareness and adherence of the Somali Police to the principles of human rights, gender, juvenile justice and protection of vulnerable persons. AMISOM supports Somali Police in establishing gender desks

AMISOM Police Gender Unit has Apart from the mentorship partnered with the Somali Police programmes, Somali Police now in training 120 Somali Police has functional gender desks, fully ofﬁcers drawn from Baidoa, Belet furnished and equipped by Weyne and Mogadishu on sexual AMISOM, at the CID Headquarters, and gender based violence (SGBV), Abdul Aziz, Baidoa and Belet and child protection. Weyne Police Stations.

AMISOM also undertakes in- The deployment of the trained mission induction courses for all gender officers is expected to AMISOM Team led by Police Deputy Commissioner Christine Alalo hands over AMISOM Police officers to enable a encourage more victims of sexual equipment and stationery to the SPF for setting up Gender Desks at the SPF Headquarters, Abdul Aziz Police Station and CID Headquarters . gender perspective in their work. and gender based violence to report cases to police officers and seek justice. Page 8 AMISOM Police Newsletter 2016

From the SPF Headquarters Gender Desk by Lt. Idil Hassan

A police service that is gender conscious and responsive increases the credibility, trust and legitimacy of the force in the eyes of the public.

Gender mainstreaming is one of the key pillars of reforms in the Somali Police Force. Through the support of AMISOM Police, the gender department of the SPF was ofﬁcially launched on 19th December 2015.

he department is committed to ensuring the gender perspective is incorporated in all aspects of policing. The department also encourages and advocates for enlistment of women in the Somali TPolice. Women often bring speciﬁc skills and strengths to police work, for example, ability to diffuse potentially violent situations and employ good communication skills to minimize the use of force.

The new department, will help increase the recruitment of female staff, expected to play a big role in protecting women’s rights. This will also strengthen collaboration with women organizations and create an efficient and accountable police force, which responds to specific needs of the diverse population. Operational support As a cohesive component of AMISOM have been arrested. The operations Police, the Nigerian and Ugandan were carried out on the basis of reliable Formed Police Units (FPU), continue intelligence information and subsequent to provide professional and robust threat assessment. policing in accordance with the Mission’s mandate. Although capacity building is not one of the FPU’s core tasks, the FPU personnel The two units based in Mogadishu carry continue to demonstrate best policing out day and night joint patrols with the practices during joint operations. FPUs SPF to not only proactively deter crime also provide protection to AMISOM but also to build public confidence Individual Police Officers (IPOs) and other in the police while gathering security personnel on duty. information.

The units have jointly conducted a number of cordon and search operations and explosive ordinances technical sweeping in various districts within Mogadishu where a large number of suspected members of Al Shaabab AMISOM Police Newsletter Page 9 2016

New Nigerian Police contingent deployed to Somalia A new contingent of 140 police ofﬁcers was deployed in Somalia, in January, this year, under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) to support ongoing stabilization efforts.

The newly deployed personnel replaced their colleagues who completed a one year tour of duty in Somalia in December 2015. The police ofﬁcers are attached to the Formed Police Unit (FPU).

Speaking after their arrival in Mogadishu, AMISOM Deputy Police Commissioner, Christine Alalo, said the new ofﬁcers would support Somali Police in their Newly deployed Nigerian Formed Police Unit (FPU) personnel under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) operational duties in the country.

Nigeria is one of the Police Contributing Countries (PCCs) under AMISOM, alongside Ghana, Kenya, Sierra Leone and Uganda.

“The operational duties are escort and cordon and search Nigeria is one of the Police Contributing Countries (PCCs) operations among others. They will also be conducting under AMISOM, alongside Ghana, Kenya, Sierra Leone and day and night patrols to ensure that there is security Uganda. Alalo hailed Nigerian police personnel for the within Mogadishu,” Ms Alalo added. professional conduct while serving under AMISOM. Page 10 AMISOM Police Newsletter 2016

Somali Police Commisioner shares his vision for the force

General Mohamed Sheikh Hamud, the Somali Police Force How are you re-engineering this force so that it meets and Commissioner, has a mammoth task of restoring Law and serves the needs of the Somali people? order in a country that has experienced many years of war. We are starting from scratch. Our force now has 6000 officers. I Despite the challenges, General Hamud is confident the mission realized that one third of this force is aged between 60-75 years. will be accomplished. I also found out that there are five categories of police officers; former police officers, officers who came from the Somali Who is General Mohamed Sheikh Hamud? army, civilians who joined during the war, those who were My specialty is in security, intelligence and diplomacy. In part of Islamic Courts Union and others who came from police my previous assignments I’ve served as defence minister, academies in neighbouring countries. This was not sustainable intelligence chief and national security advisor to the Prime for a force coming out of war. I therefore recruited high school Minister before I joined the cabinet. I also served as an MP in and university graduates. I also sent young men to train in the Transitional Federal Government and Personal Assistant police academies in neighbouring countries. I have 50 cadets to the Speaker of Parliament. Despite the civil war in Somalia, training in Uganda, 15 in Ethiopia and 40 in Mogadishu. I never left the country. Many of my family members are in Somalia and Kenya pursuing education. I speak Somali, fluent What does the Somali Police Force need to become self- Arabic, English, some Italian and I can say a word or two in sustaining? Amharic. To fight Al Shabaab, we need the Somali National Army (SNA) and AMISOM to clear the way and SPF to stabilize the liberated What motivated you to join the police force? areas by establishing law and order. But there are no facilities, My involvement in politics and security paved the way for me to including courts. We are not getting enough support from the join the police force. In January 2013, I was picked to head the international community. This has affected us. IGAD stabilization plan for Somalia starting in the Juba region. After completing the assignment, I was offered the position of How big should the Somali Police Force be to provide sufficient an ambassador in United Arab Emirates. However, I chose to policing? What is your roadmap? remain in Somalia and serve in the security section and I was We’re thinking of 12,000 officers. It’s a small number but that is later appointed the Commissioner of Police. AMISOM Police Newsletter Page 11 2016

what we had agreed in accordance with our national plan. One What are some of the key challenges impeding your work and of the challenges we face is paying the police officers. We need how do you think they can be resolved? to increase revenue collection to pay the officers well. At the Most officers are not trained to deal with the community. The moment we get support from the European Union but it is not community is also suspicious of police and do not enough. cooperate with them. The other challenge is officers’ inability to follow the chain of command because of the way they got into How is Somali Police Force preparing for the impending the police force. Also posing a challenge is lack of welfare for elections? officers, equipment and housing. We’re getting support from AMISOM trainers to be ready for the transition. Equally, we’re in discussion with our development What are the future plans for SPF? partners for support to ensure we are ready. At the moment we My first priority is enhancing the Criminal Investigations have beefed up security in strategic areas including the Aden Department. It is the reason why I am sending some 20 Abdulle International Airport after the recent (terror) incident. graduates for training through the State Department. Secondly, SPF needs a human resource department to How are you dealing with the lack of facilities for the force? address the welfare of police officers. Thirdly, the force needs a Somalia is a vast country. We are in discussion with AMISOM to secured identity card. We are still using cards have some police stations put up and housing for officers too. issued in 2000 and can be made in any black market. A good example is the Airport police station which was put up Finally, community policing and gender based violence training by AMISOM with funding from Turkey. The Somali government is will take priority. also putting up a police station at the Mogadishu sea port which should be ready in the next few months. Your parting shot?

Development partners have not realized the fact that In the recent past, Al Shabaab has aimed its attacks at soft Mogadishu is becoming safe. People are coming back from targets. How is your force dealing with such incidents? the diaspora and business is booming. Shops are open till It’s difficult for police to deal with these immediately unless we midnight and 5-star hotels are springing up with CCTV cameras confront them before they carry out their operations. We have fitted. But the city does not have CCTV cameras. Even the police NISA who are well-trained to deal with this. We also have a joint headquarters does not have these cameras. Strategic roads like police investigation team that helps out. The Rapid Response Maka al-Mukarama need to be fitted with cameras. I hope our Team which is supported by the British government is also ready development partners will help us invest in technology to make for deployment but it needs Mogadishu even safer. specialized equipment. Page 12 AMISOM Police Newsletter 2016

Community Policing AMISOM Police launches Community Policing in Kismayo

he port city of Kismayo held its first community-policing event in February, this Jubbaland Police Commissioner, Colonel year, part of efforts by the Interim Jubba Administration, Somali Police Force and Gabobe Hassan Barre, the Deputy District AMISOM Police component, to involve the city’s residents in maintaining peace Commissioner of Kismayo Mr Abdi Ibrahim Tand security. Abdi, AMISOM Police officers, members from the civil society and residents, attended the Jubbaland Police Commissioner, Colonel Gabobe Hassan Barre, the Deputy District community sensitization program. Commissioner of Kismayo Mr Abdi Ibrahim Abdi, AMISOM Police officers, members from the civil society and residents, attended the community sensitization program.

The community was urged to collaborate with the Jubbaland Police in reporting criminal activities as well as sharing information in order to make the initiative a success.

Speaking at the event, Jubbaland Police Commissioner, Colonel Gabobe Hassan Barre, reminded the community that their cooperation is crucial in ﬁghting and preventing crime.

“We have had a successful community policing meeting where we discussed how the community and the security departments can cooperate. We have also discussed how sensitization training for the community can be accelerated,” said the Police Commissioner Colonel Barre.

The meeting was attended by Jubbaland Police, Regional Jubbaland Police Commissioner, Colonel Gabobe Hassan Administration, AMISOM police, elders, women and youth, who Barre, speaks at an even on community policing held by AMISOM in the Somali city of Kismayo shared ideas on how to improve policing within communities.

AMISOM Police Public Information Ofﬁcer, Chief Inspector John Marete, on the other hand, expressed optimism that the programme would excel in Kismayo.

“Community policing incorporates a ﬁrm commitment to the value and necessity of citizen input on police policies and priorities. In a free and democratic society, citizens are supposed to have a say on how they are governed. Police departments, like other agencies of government, are supposed to be responsive and accountable to the needs of the people,” he said.

Women’s involvement in community policing was also acknowledged at the meeting. Jubbaland Women Group Association Chairperson, Sureer Mohamed Ali, said women were a vital resource in keeping communities safe and secure.

“The program of community policing is very important and a necessity. We welcome such programs but we need as Jubbaland women to be given ﬁrst consideration when implementing such programs,” she added.

The activities were not only confined to Kismayo. In March 2016, AMISOM held a five- day Community Policing Course for 200 youths at General Kaahiye Police Academy in Mogadishu. The youths comprised 62 females and 138 males. The youths underwent a thorough vetting exercise before commencing the training conducted by both AMISOM Members of the Kismayo community attend an AMISOM and SPF officers. The training was part of a wider strategy aimed at improving meeting centered around comunity policing in of Kismayo relationship between the citizens and security officers. AMISOM Police Officers Undergo Leadership Training

A group of AMISOM police officers completed a training necessary tools and skills to enable them manage the course on leadership and law enforcement in March police force effectively,” Anand Pillay said. 2016 to enhance their knowledge base on policing and security. The ultimate goal, he noted, was to create an efficient and professional Somali Police that is responsive to the The participants in the five-day training were comprised needs of the people. of police officers from the Formed Police Unit (FPU) and Individual Police Officers (IPO) serving under AMISOM Commissioner Anand Pillay, warned the officers of the Police. threats posed by terrorism, reminding them of their responsibility to counter the vice. The training is part of AMISOM’s in-house programme to continuously improve the knowledge and skills of its “It is for us to ensure that this (terrorism) does not officers to enable them perform better in their duties. spread. We must leave behind a security or police force that is able to detect the enemy and investigate crime AMISOM Police Commissioner, Anand Pillay, who spoke properly. All of you have a role to play,” the AMISOM during the training, reminded participants of the Police Commissioner told the officers attending the in- challenging task they face, in helping rebuild the Somali mission training. Police, saying the assignment required dedication and commitment. The objective of in-mission training courses is to inform and educate officers on topical issues in line with their “We have a lot of work to do to start rebuilding Somali core duties. The training comes days after another group Police from the base. We need to ensure that the people of 30 AMISOM police officers concluded similar training in management are skilled by providing them with the earlier in March.