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Africa Horn
EU defends its 20 per cent cut to AMISOM funding
2016-04-28
The European Union has defended its recent 20 percent cut funding to the Amisom.
I guess this means Uganda isn't getting its money...
Speaking during an interview in Mogadishu, the EU Delegation ambassador to Somalia Michele Cervone d’urso said the EU had informed the African Union of their intention to cut funding over a year ago and had expected they would have had other donors on board.

“We know that al-Shabaab has not been defeated and we are committed to the mission but there are other missions to be accomplished in other areas and we have to give our support,” he explained.
Like defending their own borders...
Michele said the EU has single-handedly supported the Amisom adding that if it wasn’t for them the mission would not have been formed.

He, however, said the cut should not be misinterpreted to mean the EU is neglecting the Amisom. “Our partnership is still excellent. We remain hugely committed to Amisom and to fighting terror.”

He hinted that the EU would like to see Africa beginning to contribute to the mission.
Africa IS contributing to the mission: the soldiers tramping through the bush are not the Fighting 515th Belgian Heavy Barbers...
“If anything we are only implementing what the AU heads of states agreed in Djibouti where they were to take up 2% of the funding,” he added.

Agreeing that there is a need to have a comprehensive approach to deal with Al-Shabaab, Michele urged partners to come together and help develop the Somali Force. “That is what this country needs,” he said.
Without the EU...
The European Union has been the biggest donor for the Amisom covering the full cost of payments to the soldiers through its contribution to the AU. Every year, the EU contributes about $200 million and the 20% cut will see this figure go down. Amisom is, therefore, staring at a crisis since the directive took effect in January this year.

“Due to delaying effect, we are still paying the balance for last year so the effect of the cut has not been felt,” Michele said.

Amisom soldiers receive a monthly allowance of $828 after their respective governments deduct a $200 administrative cost per soldier. This allowance is likely to reduce if the AU will not have secured other donors to fill in the 20%.

Head of Amisom in Somalia Ambassador Fransisco Madeira said they are working towards getting alternative sources for funds.

“People of Somalia are committed to fighting this terror group and there is no way we are stopping here. We will get funding and we are committed to staying here until Somalia is in a position to govern itself,” he said during an interview.

Madeira confirmed that the AU has been negotiating with the UN with the hopes to bring them on board. “We have been discussing with the UN and there are possibilities of them coming in full force because for sure we need more resources,” he reiterated.
Posted by:Steve White

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