The force is conceived as a replacement for the African Union Mission in Somalia, whose mandate expires on December 31, and has the support of the AU Peace and Security Council based on ‘the guarantee of predictable and sustainable multi-year funding’, argument that is rejected by the Government of President Abdullahi Mohammed.

The Somali Foreign Ministry issued a statement, in which it recalled that the United Nations Security Council approved a resolution, according to which the local Army would command a new military contingent.

The collision of interests delays the military efforts of the central government to eliminate Islamist group Al Shabab, in control of large parts of the Somali territory and responsible for deadly attacks on this capital and other important cities.

Since 1991, following the overthrow of former President Mohamed Siad Barre, who previously broke up ties with former Soviet Union, Somalia has been caught into an unstoppable spiral of violence.

pgh/lcr