AMISOM Police Officials oversee state of operations in HirShabelle State

A high level delegation of police officers from the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) has paid a visit to Beletweyne, in the HirShabelle State of Somalia, to evaluate the on-going training and mentoring of the police in the region.

The team which was led by AMISOM Police Commissioner, Assistant Inspector General of Police Augustine Magnus Kailie, expressed satisfaction with the partnership between the AU police, the civilian and military components of the mission in bringing peace to the region.

In order to help improve the capacity of the Police in HirShabelle State, AMISOM Police has Individual Police Officers and a platoon of Formed Police Unit working in Beletweyne through training, mentoring and operational support.

During the visit, the AU police boss reminded the officers deployed in the region of the importance of the upcoming Parliamentary and Presidential elections in Somalia, saying AMISOM has crucial roles to play.

He emphasised that the Somali Police Force (SPF) will take the lead in securing the elections while AMISOM police will only provide support.

While in Beletweyne, the AU Police Commissioner, and members of the Senior Leadership Team were briefed on the security situation in the region in a meeting with officials from the police, military and civilian components of AMISOM.

The Police Team Leader for Beletweyne, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Joshua Chilekwa, said the visit came at the right time as it will serve as morale boosters for the officers on the ground and evaluation on progress of work.