Somalia: AMISOM trained police deployed to HirShabelle to boost security

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somalia has dispatched 198 fresh graduated police officers in Hirshebelle, AMISOM said, in the ongoing programme of establishing a formidable police force in the country.

The newly recruited Somali police are expected to bolster security in the Al-Shabaab-prone Hirshebelle state, which also records high cases of disorderliness in the execution of law and order.

Of those who graduated, 21 are women, a manifestation of concerted effort to push for gender parity in the public sector. Police instructors from AMISOM trained the graduates at Jowhar Police Academy, officials said.

Since the inception of the programme, Thursday's pass out parade was the third from the academy to be unveiled. They will be deployed in Hiraan and Middle Shabelle regions, which have recorded highest cases of Al-Shabaab raids.

So far, AMISOM has trained a total of 600 police officers, including this batch. At the colourful ceremony, they displayed a simulation exercise including drills, self-defence, and alertness, AMISOM said.

Ali Abdullahi Hussein, the Hirshebelle deputy president, backed the new police officers to cooperate with the public to defeat terrorists whose threat is rife in the region

“The police force should be friendly to the public to assist victims and apprehend criminals," he told the recruits. "They need to take action on terrorists and support efforts to restore peace and stability, which are essential for development."

Yuyi Mwala, the assistant commissioner of police, AMISOM police coordinating officer for Hirshebelle, exuded confidence in the recruits, adding that their training was adequate.

“We have delivered a good cadre of recruits,” said ACP Mwala, who also noted AMISOM's effort to restore law and order in Somalia, which has witnessed civil war and Al-Shabaab menace for several years.

The Hirshabelle Minister for Security, Mohamed Abdirahman Kheyre, thanked AMISOM and international partners including the European Union, United Kingdom, Germany, and UNOPS, for their support in building the capacity of the police force in Somalia.

“Hirshabelle plans to train 800 officers. We will soon start recruiting two hundred more officers, and the preparations have been finalised,” he said during Thursday's ceremony.

Amran Ali Hussein, one of the graduates, said he was ready to apply the skills and knowledge acquired to secure Somalia.

“I am ready to defend and serve my people and nation using my newly acquired skills,” said Amran.

As part of its mandate, the AMISOM Police component trains, mentors, and advises the Somali Police Force [SPF] to help build their capacity and meet international policing standards. This is also contained in the Somalia Transition Plan.

So far, AMISOM has tentatively set 2021 as the year for full withdraw of its forces including the army from Somalia. The newly trained police and SNA troops are set to assume security roles in the country.

Lower Shebelle has been battling Al-Shabaab menace and has borne the brunt of US military airstrikes for several months now, although the militants have also managed to kill dozens of SNA troops.

GAROWE ONLINE