The European Union has defended its recent 20 percent cut funding to the Amisom.
Speaking during an interview in Mogadishu, the EU Delegation ambassador to Somalia Michele Cervone d’urso said the EU had informed the African Union of their intention to cut funding over a year ago and had expected they would have had other donors on board.
“We know that al-Shabaab has not been defeated and we are committed to the mission but there are other missions to be accomplished in other areas and we have to give our support,” he explained.
Michele said the EU has single-handedly supported the Amisom adding that if it wasn’t for them the mission would not have been formed.
He, however, said the cut should not be misinterpreted to mean the EU is neglecting the Amisom.
“Our partnership is still excellent. We remain hugely committed to Amisom and to fighting terror.”
He hinted that the EU would like to see Africa beginning to contribute to the mission.
“If anything we are only implementing what the AU heads of states agreed in Djibouti where they were to take up 2% of the funding,” he added.
Agreeing that there is a need to have a comprehensive approach to deal with Al-Shabaab, Michele urged partners to come together and help develop the Somali Force. “That is what this country needs,” he said.
The European Union has been the biggest donor for the Amisom covering the full cost of payments to the soldiers through its contribution to the AU.
Every year, the EU contributes about $200 million and the 20% cut will see this figure go down. Amisom is, therefore, staring at a crisis since the directive took effect in January this year.