MOGADISHU, June 7 (Xinhua) -- The African Union mission in Somalia (AMISOM) said Wednesday it has trained security officers as parts efforts to enhance vigilance in the wake of increased terror attacks in the Horn of Africa nation.
AMISOM said its police component concluded the two-week training on close protection for South West state police officers to help enhance capacity of security officers to offer adequate protection to government officials and other VIPs (very important persons).
AMISOM Police Deputy Training Coordinator, Christopher Mumo, said the training will enable Somali police improve VIP security in the federal states.
"We have been doing training on VIP close protection. We are intending to do another one in Mogadishu after doing one in Kismayo, Jubbaland state of Somalia. This was the second training and the third will be in Mogadishu," Mumo said in a statement issued in Mogadishu.
The training comes in the wake of increased cases of assassinations targeting leaders and government officials by Al-Shabaab militants.
AMISOM police has been training and mentoring Somali Police officers with an aim of transforming the security institution into a professional outfit capable of maintaining law and order.
Mumo said it was important for Somalia to be able to provide adequate protection to elected leaders, following the conclusion of the electoral process early this year.
"Our aim is that since Somalia has gone through elections and have several leaders, the police should be able to maintain their security especially in the wake of the many assassinations taking place," he said.
"We are building the capacity of police officers to be able to protect their principals and leaders against attack of any kind including assassinations," he added.
AMISOM police recently concluded a similar course for 25 Jubbaland police officers in Kismayo in southern Somalia.
