The Atlantic Council’s Africa Center hosted a transition seminar for H.E. Maman Sidikou, incoming African Union (AU) special representative for Somalia and head of the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), on Tuesday, September 9.
AMISOM is a multidimensional peace support operation mandated by the United Nations Security Council and the AU to reduce the threat posed by al-Shabaab and other armed groups in Somalia, assist the Somali government in expanding and consolidating its control over national territory, provide technical and other support to build state institutions and their capabilities, help establish structures to hold elections scheduled for 2016, facilitate humanitarian assistance, and provide security for AU and UN personnel. The mission includes over 22,000 military, police, and civilian personnel.
The discussion, moderated by Africa Center Director J. Peter Pham, centered on the challenges that AMISOM will face during Sidikou’s tenure and the role that the African Union can play in Somalia. Participants in the briefing included Council experts, former US military and government personnel, and other experts.