The Head of the African Union Mission in Somalia, AMISOM, Ambassador Francisco Madeira and the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Operational Support, Atul Khare, have met to discuss various issues to boost the peace support operation.

Mr. Khare, who is on a working visit to Somalia, met with the AMISOM leadership to discuss logistical and financial support to AMISOM, including modalities to support the upcoming electoral process in Somalia.

At the meeting were senior AMISOM and UN officials, who included the Force Commander, Lt. Gen. Diomede Ndegeya, the Acting AMISOM Police Commissioner, Daniel Ali Gwambal, the Head of the United Nations Support Office in Somalia, UNSOS, Lisa Filipetto and the UNSOS Director, Amadu Kamara.

Speaking after the meeting, Ambassador Madeira noted that the United Nations remains the most significant contributor to AMISOM, with the global organisation contributing almost two-thirds of the mission’s funds.

He further said discussions with Mr. Khare had focused on the operations of AMISOM as a multidimensional mission, support activities and institutional capacity-building to support peace and security for Somalia.

"We discussed with Mr. Atul Khare everything, ranging from operational activities, institutional-building activities, the way AMISOM is doing it, and support activities. We believe this is the way to go. Somalia needs support to defeat Al-Shabaab,” said Ambassador Madeira.

Ambassador Madeira also said during the closed-door meeting, Mr. Khare had reaffirmed the United Nations’ commitment to supporting AMISOM to implement its mandate, which demonstrated cordial relations between the United Nations and AMISOM.

"In 2016, we were covering and securing elections in areas where we have our military and our police. This time we are asked to go to areas where we have never deployed before. That will require additional logistical support. We discussed the matter with Mr. Atul Khare. He was very receptive and will look at it,” added Ambassador Madeira.

On his visit to Somalia, Under-Secretary-General Khare will also meet leaders in the Federal Government and the Southwest State of Somalia.