The Commissioner for Peace and Security of the African Union, Ambassador Said Djinnit, received today in his office the Ambassador of Somalia, Ambassador Abdikarin Farah with whom he signed the Status of Mission Agreement (SOMA) for the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

On this occasion, Amb. Djinnit stated that the deployment of the Ugandan troops, part of the African Union Mission in Somalia, which has started today, is a strong demonstration of the commitment of the AU to the peace process in Somalia. According to him, AMISOM will provide support to the TFIs in their efforts towards the stabilization of the situation in the country and the furtherance of dialogue and reconciliation; facilitate the provision of humanitarian assistance, and create conducive conditions for long-term stabilization, reconstruction and development in Somalia.

Furthermore, Amb Djinnit stressed that AMISOM, which aims essentially at contributing to the initial stabilization phase in Somalia, in support of the political process will contribute to creating conditions for the deployment of a United Nations operation that will support the long term stabilization and post-conflict reconstruction of Somalia

Amb. Djinnit seized also the opportunity to express confidence that the member states of the AU will come forward by providing additional troops to AMISOM. He equally appealed to the AU member states and the international community to provide logistical and financial support to enable AMISOM to execute its mandate.

On his part the Ambassador of Somalia expressed his appreciation to the Commissioner for the remarkable efforts the AU and the Commission have done to assist the peace process in Somalia and to bring about a lasting peace in his country.  He stated that the warm welcome the Somalian authorities, the religious leaders, the Women Association, the Somalian Civil society, the Business leaders, the clan leaders have given today to the AMISOM troops is a sign of the  commitment of the Somalian population to work with AMISOM to create conducive conditions for reconstruction and development in Somalia.

                                          Addis Ababa, 6 March 2007