by Abdi
MOGADISHU, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) said Wednesday it has kicked off a ten-day counterinsurgency training course for the Somali Police Force (SPF) officers to improve their expertise in fighting terrorism.
AMISOM Police Trainer Christopher Kashita said the UN-backed training is also aimed at strengthening the capacity of the police officers to improve service delivery and enhance public safety.
"The basic counterinsurgency course is aimed at equipping the participants with the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes that will enable them to effectively conduct counterinsurgency activities in their areas of operation and Somalia at large," Kahita said.
He said in a statement issued in Mogadishu that the objective of the women and child protection course was aimed at enhancing participants' capabilities to effectively protect vulnerable groups, especially women and children, in a post conflict environment.
Kashita expressed AMISOM police's commitment to supporting and rebuilding the SPF into a credible institution, capable of discharging its duties in line with internationally acceptable standards.
"The implementation of the two courses being officially opened today is a clear demonstration of continuous efforts by AMISOM police in fulfilling its mandate of assisting in the re-activation of the Somali State/ Federal Police Forces by building various capacities through training and development programs," he stated.
Deputy Somali Police Force (SPF) Brigadier Muktar Hussein Afrah said the training is part of efforts to empower the Somali police by equipping them with the necessary knowledge and skills needed to effectively secure the country.
"One group will be trained on issues of child abuse and the other on countering insurgency and the knowledge they will acquire from this training will be useful. All children in Somalia must be protected and countering insurgency is crucial," Afrah said.
