By The Commissioner for Peace and Security of the African Union (AU), Ambassador Ramtane Lamamra last evening met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Norway, Espen Barth Eide, in his office, at the AU Headquarters, Addis-Ababa in Ethiopia to exchange views on the AU’s perspectives on Peace and Security in Africa for the coming years.
According to a stataemnt by AU, the discussion was held against the backdrop of the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of the Organization of African Unity (OAU)/AU, to be marked next year, on 25 May 2013. The discussions also focused, inter alia, the situation in Somalia, in particular, issues relating to Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development efforts and peace building.
As part of the reconstruction of Somalia, Commissioner Lamamra highlighted the security challenges arising from the demobilization of the Al Shabaab insurgents and issues of Piracy and exchanged views on the way forward, highlighting the need for urgent post-conflict reconstruction and development; the need for supporting institution building in Somalia, including the Security Sector Reform. Both paid tribute to the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) forces and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) leadership and troops, for their commitment and courage and further stressed the need for enhanced cooperation between the AU and all stakeholders.
Present were the Ambassador of Norway, Odd-Inge Kvalheim and other senior Government officials.
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