MOGADISHU (SD) – The European Union (EU), Somalia’s key financial partner, has called for changes to the structure of the African Union Mission in Somalia [AMISOM], subject to continued funding for military operations in the country.

The European Union has now said that AMISOM should focus on rebuilding Somalia’s broken security institutions, noting that this approach is essential.

Josep Borrell Fontelles, a EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, told The EastAfrican News, that the EU agreed on the necessity for the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) to be effective in bringing lasting peace to Somalia.

“We don’t want to abandon Somalia. We don’t want to stop financing AMISOM, but we need to review how it works in order to ensure that results are better,” said Fontelles.

AMISOM was established in 2007 to help curb Al-Shabaab activities in the country.

Currently, talks are under way to overhaul the mission, which expires in March, with the African Union proposing a joint operation with the United Nations. Reports also indicate that both sides have agreed to co-operate and implement the Somalia Transition Plan [STP].

Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Ethiopia, and Djibouti have contributed troops to AMISOM. They all called for a multi-party force, which Somalia has rejected. Somalia has also denied the idea of extending AMISOM’s mandate beyond March.

In March, the UN Security Council is expected to decide on the fate of the operation, which could possibly turn into a broader mandate.

These conversations are happening at a time when Al Shabaab has strengthen its grip in the country and made the most initial gains in all of Al-Qaida affiliates.

And as the country is marred in a political tag of war between the President and the PM over the control of the outgoing government of Somlia.