African Union hands over new police station in Baidoa, Somalia

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MOGADISHU, Somalia - As part of preparing Somali security forces ahead of impeding exit of foreign troops, the African Union Mission in Somalia on Saturday handed over a newly constructed police station in Baidoa, Southwest region, which has been battling Al-Shabaab militants.

The authorities in the Southwest state received the station and it will be used by Somali Police Force [SPF], which has been undergoing training for the past several years, in a project that is funded by several international partners, who are keen to rebuild Somalia.

The Danish government, major security, and financial partner of Somalia funded the project but implementation was done by the AMISOM under Quick Impact Projects [QIPs]. Bakiin Police Station is among many which have been funded by international partners under the Somalia Transition Plan.

Under the Somalia Transition Plan, AMISOM is preparing local security forces to take over from African Union Mission troops and police, who are set to quit the country after almost a decade of service. Currently, there are close to 22,000 foreign security forces in Somalia.

Most of these troops and police officers come from AMISOM contributing nations. Some of these countries include Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Djibouti, with Burundi and Rwanda also having a good number of troops in the war-torn nation.

Mukhtaar Adamu, the AMISOM Police Coordinating Officer in Baidoa, presided over Friday's ceremony, which was also attended by South West State Deputy Minister of Security, Olad Mohamed Ali, and Bay Regional Police Commander, Major General Amin Mohamed Osman.

Adamu said the construction of the police station is in line with AMISOM’s mandate of establishing and equipping police stations in key areas to improve the operational efficiency and effectiveness of the SPF for it to be able to maintain law and order and ensure the security of persons and property in Somalia.

The building of the capacity of SPF, he noted, is an integral part of Somalia’s stabilization process, especially in consolidating the gains made over the years in peace and security, human rights, gender relations, and protection of civilians.

“The project was started earlier in February and it has been completed within the stipulated time, and now we are here to commission and handover the building to the Somali Police Force," Adamu said. "We now hope that we will come here and continue with our daily mentoring, advising, and training of the Somali Police Force as it is our mandate."

The new police station, he said, would enable the AMISOM police to continue building the capacity of their police counterparts to continue with capacity building of Somali Police Force, through mentoring, training, and advising programs.

Southwest's State Deputy Minister of Security, Olad Mohamed Ali, expressed gratitude to AMISOM for the support, saying the new police station would go a long way in enhancing peace and stability in the region.

“We thank AMISOM Police for handing over this police station to us. We request the partners to continue supporting us in establishing similar police stations in key areas of the city so as to strengthen peace and security in the town. I thank the Danish Government for funding this project and request it to continue with such support,” Olad said.

And on his part, the Police Commander of Bay region, Major General Amin said they will soon deploy new officers at the station, which is key to the security of the city. Maj. Gen. Amin thanked AMISOM and appealed for the rehabilitation of more police stations which are needed to help maintain law and order in Baidoa.

“The new police station will host a contingent of more than 30 police officers. This station is located in a strategic area, on the edge of the town, which is significant for the security of the city as far as exit and entry are concerned. This will also be the main checkpoint to monitor and apprehend that intent on disrupting peace in our town," he said.

"We are grateful to our partners, AMISOM and the Danish government, for the handover of this police station. It was a timely response and we hope to receive similar support in the future,” added Maj. Gen. Amin.

Similar projects have been done in Jubaland, HirShabelle, and Galmadug, which are worst hit by Al-Shabaab frequent attacks. In April this year, Kenya Defense Forces [KDF] handed a police station and army base in Dhobley within Lower Jubba, which were also sponsored by the Danish administration.

GAROWE ONLINE

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