African Union Commission and Nigerian Government sign Memorandum of Understanding on the deployment of One Formed Police Unit to AMISOM

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, December 18, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Commission of the African Union (AU) and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria signed, today, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), at the African Union Headquarters, on the contribution of one Formed Police Unit (FPU), of 140 police officers and other resources to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

The MoU was signed on behalf of the AUC by Ambassador Ramtane Lamamra, the AU Commissioner for Peace and Security, and on behalf of the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, by H.E. Bulus Paul Zom Lolo, the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the AU. The signing of this MoU concludes the formalization of the deployment of the Nigerian FPU to AMISOM in Somalia, which took place on 16 September 2012.

Under the AMISOM Strategic Concept, which was approved by the AU Peace and Security Council of the African Union at its 302nd meeting held in Addis Ababa on 2 December 2011, and subsequently endorsed by the UN Security Council in its Resolution 2036 adopted on 22 February 2012, the African Union is authorized to deploy two FPUs to AMISOM with the mandate to provide security and operational support to the Somali Police Force.

Since its deployment to Mogadishu, the Nigerian FPU has performed its tasks with unparalleled distinction, professionalism and dedication to duty. Through its joint patrols and operations with the Somali Police Force, the Nigerian FPU continues to make tremendous difference in assuring and reducing the fear of armed violent crime within the communities in Mogadishu, as well as inspiring confidence in the Somali Police Force to perform its duties effectively.

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