Ambassador Francisco Madeira,  The Special Representative of the African Union Commission Chairperson (SRCC), for Somalia,   AMISOM Photo / Ilyas Ahmed

By Gary Raynaldo         DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

UNITED  NATIONS   –  NEW   YORK –   The UN Security Council  Friday extended the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) through February 2021 even as the head of the Mission is embroiled in allegations of corruption, mismanagement, harassment and political interference.  The Security Council reauthorized deployment of AMISOM personnel for nine months, requiring them to support security in the lead-up to elections and to work towards the gradual hand-over of responsibility to Somali forces by 2021. Meanwhile,  Ambassador Franciso Madeiro, the Special Representative of AMISOM is fighting off allegations of corruption, mismanagement, harassment and political interference, the East African reports. 

“An internal report by the African Union (AU) criticises Francisco Madeira for mistreating employees – including refusing to provide sanitary towels – using abusive language, hijacking Amisom donations to gain political mileage and taking sides in situations where the mission is expected to be neutral,” according to the East African.

Somali politicians petitioned AU to have the Mozambican diplomat recalled

The East African reported that the revelations came as some Somali politicians petitioned the AU to have the Mozambican diplomat recalled.  There  have been recent accusations by a section of Somali politicians claiming Madeira had sided with the Somali federal government against regional states.

19,626 uniformed AMISOM Personnel Deployed in Somali mission 

Soldiers of the Djiboutian Contingent serving with the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) stand to attention during the arrival of further troops to the central Somali town of Belet Weyne, 16 November 2012, approx. 300km north west of the Somali capital Mogadishu. The air lift is part of a deployment to begin boosting the just over 300 personnel already on the ground to approx. 1,000 troops serving under the UN-supported AU mission in Somalia. AU-UN IST PHOTO / STUART PRICE.

 Under Chapter VII of the Charter of the UN, the 15-member Security Council also decided to authorize the African Union to maintain the deployment of 19,626 uniformed AMISOM personnel until 28 February 2021 — including at least 1,040 police and five formed police units. AMISOM was  created in 2007 to help defeat the terrorist group al-Shabaab  has five troop-contributing countries- Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Djibouti and Ethiopia.

 Madeira Says Holding National Elections In Somalia Is A Top Priority 

Ambassador  Madeira, on May 21, addressed the UN Security Council in a Virtual Meeting to  report on the progress Somalia has made in economic recovery, inclusive politics, and security through containing terrorism, dialogue and reconciliation, and elections.  However, Ambassador Madeira told the security council that some of the progress is now being hampered by adverse conditions brought about by a combination of terrorism, recurrent natural disasters and the impact of COVID-19.  But is maintained that elections are of utmost importance.     “It is abundantly clear that holding national elections is a top priority for Somalia. I am also convinced, from my engagement with key election stakeholders, that they too view this as a matter of necessity and urgency.”

Al-Shabaab Still Threatens Large Scale Terror Attacks In Somalia Capital City Mogadishu

 James Swan, head of the UN Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), warned the Security Council in February 2020 that terrorist, jihadist  group Al-Shabaab retains the ability to conduct large scale attacks in the Horn of Africa nation Somalia’s capital city Mogadishu.  The UN diplomat said there has been steady, commendable progress in rebuilding Somalia’s security institutions including implementation of biometric registration, electronic payment of salaries for the security forces, and personnel records. However, Swan said Al-Shabaab remains a dangerous, unrestrained threat.