China gives $2,2 mil. to AU in Somalia
China has provided support to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), the African Union Commission said on Thursday.
China has extended much needed support to the African Union Mission in Somalia in the form of $2,2 million.
According to the African Union Commissioner for Peace and Security, the funds would go towards ensuring the sustainability of the peacekeeping mission in Somalia.
The commissioner said $1,2 million would be “spent on improving the welfare of AMISOM staff who are operating under very challenging circumstances”.
The remaining $1 million would be spent on the “construction of armouries for the Somali National Army”.
The commissioner said the funds formed part of the African Union’s partnership with China in the area of peace and security.
The commissioner thanked the Chinese government for “its support to the AU’s efforts in Somalia and the larger peace and security agenda”.
The Commissioner also noted that Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged on September 28 this year “to earmark $100 million in support of the African Standby Force and other peace support operations on the continent”.
During the recent Forum for China-Africa Cooperation, which took place in Johannesburg, South Africa, Xi made a number of further announcements about the partnership, and China’s support for Africa.