STORY: Deputy Head of AMISOM and visiting EU

legislator discuss security situation in Somalia

DURATION: 2:31
SOURCE: AMISOM PUBLIC INFORMATION
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CREDIT REQUIRED: AMISOM PUBLIC
INFORMATION
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH NATURAL SOUND
DATELINE: 10/DECEMBER/2019, MOGADISHU, SOMALIA

SHOT LIST:

1. Wide shot, The Deputy Special Representative of the Chairperson of the

African Union Commission (DSRCC) for Somalia, Simon Mulongo flanked by
Member of the EU Parliament (MEP), Arnaud Danjean arriving for the
meeting
2. Med shot, DSRCC, Simon Mulongo talking during the meeting with MEP,
Arnaud Danjean at the headquarters of the African Union Mission in Somalia
(AMISOM).
3. Med shot, AMISOM officials listening during the meeting
4. Med shot, DSRCC, Simon Mulongo talking during the meeting with MEP,
Arnaud Danjean at the AMISOM headquarters.
5. SOUNDBITE: (ENGLISH) SIMON MULONGO, DEPUTY SPECIAL
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE AFRICAN UNION
COMMISSION (DSRCC) FOR SOMALIA
“The AMISOM forces are doing a very important job of holding the defence
and security interests of the state, for these state institutions to begin re-
growing. The state has also started institutions which are taking root.
Parliament, both federal and member states, are functional. Judicial systems
are taking root. We have other rehabilitation and stabilization programmes
that are also taking shape, and as such, in terms of statehood and state
expansion, it is growing.”

6. Med shot, DSRCC, Simon Mulongo inviting the visiting MEP, Arnaud Danjean
to make some remarks
7. SOUNDBITE: (ENGLISH) ARNAUD DANJEAN, MEMBER OF THE
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
“I would like to thank AMISOM for all the sacrifices done because I know the
amount of casualties. Different countries have suffered in a very difficult
context, and we should be grateful to the countries that have decided from
the very beginning to participate in this very difficult mission. I do believe that
what is at stake here in this part of Africa is also crucial for Europe, we don’t
live in an isolated world, as everything is interconnected. The threats Somalia
has been going through for years is also threats affecting our security and
stability”.
 8. Wide shot, AMISOM military officer making remarks during the meeting
9. Close up shot, MEP, Arnaud Danjean, talking during the meeting
10. Med shot, MEP, Arnaud Danjean shaking hands with the DSRCC, Simon
Mulongo
11. Wide shot, MEP, Arnaud Danjean, flanked by DSRCC, Simon Mulongo and
other AMISOM and EU officials posing for a group photo
12. Wide shot, the delegation walking out of the conference room after the
meeting

Deputy Head of AMISOM and visiting EU legislator discuss security situation in

Somalia

Mogadishu, 11 December 2019 – The Deputy Special Representative of the

Chairperson of the African Union Commission (DSRCC) for Somalia, Simon Mulongo,
yesterday met a Member of the European Parliament in Mogadishu to discuss the
security situation in Somalia.

Arnaud Danjean represents France in the European Parliament.

The two discussed the progress of anti-terror operations in Somalia, and existing
relations between the EU, AMISOM, and the Federal Government of Somalia.

The EU is the significant contributor to African Union peace support operations. Since
2007, the EU has supported AMISOM through the African Peace Facility, a financial
collaboration between the African Union and EU.

The EU funding to AMISOM covers troop allowances including the military, police and
civilian components and some operational costs of the Mission.

Mulongo hailed the EU for its continuous support to AMISOM and briefed Danjean on
the gains made since AMISOM was deployed in 2007.

The Deputy SRCC explained that the deployment of AMISOM troops in Somalia
enabled the creation of a favourable environment for the rebuilding of the Somali
state, establishing institutions right from federal to Member states.

"Parliament, both at the federal level and in the Member states, is functional. Judicial
systems are taking root, and we have rehabilitation and stabilisation programmes
taking shape. As such, in terms of statehood and expansion, Somalia is growing. Our
presence has also allowed NGOs and other international organisations to operate in
Somalia" said Mulongo.

He suggested the EU Training Mission (EUTM) in Somalia should train more Somali
security personnel to eventually take over security responsibilities when AMISOM
troops exit.
"It is important to enhance EUTM as they have the capacity to recruit and train in
larger numbers," Mulongo proposed.

Danjean, who chairs the sub-committee on security and defence in the EU Parliament,
applauded AMISOM troops for the sacrifices made to restore peace and stability in
Somalia.

"We should be grateful to the countries that decided from the very beginning to
participate in this challenging mission. We don't live in an isolated world. The threat
Somalia has been going through for years also impacts on European security and
stability," Danjean said.

ENDS