MOGADISHU, March 24 (Xinhua) -- The African Union mission has arrived in Somalia to assess progress made in defence and security institutions, especially in building a national army capable of stabilizing the Horn of Africa nation.
A statement from the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) on Friday said the 24-member delegation from the AU Peace and Security Council is holding consultations with key leaders on the best ways to secure Somalia.
"The consultations would focus on efforts to build national defence and security institution, which would ultimately have the primary responsibility of maintaining peace and security in Somalia," said Ntshinga Ndumiso, Chairperson of the Peace and Security Council who is leading the delegation.
The mission held talks with Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire, shortly after their arrival in Mogadishu on Thursday.
"The area we are interested in is the transparency, coordination and complementary efforts among all partners who are providing capacity-building support to the Somali National Army," Ndumiso told the PM and other senior government leaders.
During the meeting, Khaire agreed with the delegation that the national army needed strengthening to satisfactorily provide peace and security in the country.
He said the new government had set a two-year target to achieve its priority goals, of which security takes precedence.
The prime minister also acknowledged the critical support provided to the country by the AMISOM and said Somalia would "forever be grateful."
