The Foreigner
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Espen Barth Eide and Ramtane Lamamra / Photo: Kjetil Elsebutangen, MFA
African Union Commissioner for Peace and Security Ambassador Ramtane Lamamra met with Espen Barth Eide in his Addis Ababa office to exchange views on AU Africa peace and security perspectives for the coming years, Tuesday.
Also present at the meeting were Norway’s ambassador Odd-Inge Kvalheim and other senior government officials.
According to a statement issued by the AU, discussions took place about celebrating the 50th Anniversary of its establishment. The AU, formerly known as the Organization of African Unity, will mark this event on 25 May 2013.
Foreign Minister Barth Eide and Ambassador Lamara also talked about the security situation in Somalia. This included post-conflict reconstruction, development efforts, and peace building in war-torn country.
The Ambassador highlighted the security challenges arising from the demobilization of the Al Shabaab insurgents and issues of piracy.
He talked about the success of AU troops in dislodging the militants from Mogadishu and other parts of Somalia.
Views were exchanged on the way forward, highlighting the need for urgent post-conflict reconstruction and development, as well as for supporting institution building in Somalia. This included the Security Sector Reform, according to Au-issued statement.
Both parties appreciated the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) forces’ role and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) in bringing back peace to the country, calling for international support to all those working for towards this.