AMISOM and Humanitarian actors launch the Somalia Country Specific Guidelines

The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) together with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) today launched the Somalia Country Specific Guidelines to govern relations on civil-military coordination in Somalia.

The Somalia Country Specific Humanitarian Civil-Military Coordination Guidelines were launched at a ceremony attended by the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia and AMISOM Head of Mission, Ambassador Maman S. Sidikou and the Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary General to Somalia, Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator (DSRSG/RC/HC) – Mr. Philippe Lazzarini.

The guidelines aim to establish agreed principles and practices for constructive civil-military relations between AMISOM and humanitarian actors, operating within the same environment in Somalia.

Speaking during the ceremony, the SRCC reiterated the commitment of AMISOM to provide conducive environment for humanitarian assistance to reach the Somali people. “AMISOM is mandated by the UN Security Council to provide a safe environment that facilitates timely delivery of humanitarian aid. This has been done and we will continue to provide all the necessary support to humanitarian agencies.

I would like to see humanitarian efforts have a lasting impact on the Somali people, especially the women and children. They cannot wait another day for help,” he said. Mr. Lazzarini added that such guidelines are very important in ensuring better structured relations and in turn more effective aid delivery.

“The relationship between humanitarian agencies and AMISOM is very important. These guidelines will ensure better, mutual, understanding and better implementation of our respective mandates,” he noted.