A new state-of-the-art facility for the Somali Police Force (SPF) that will boost the country’s maritime security anti-piracy efforts recently opened in Mogadishu.
Funded by the European Union, the US$3-million building project was implemented by the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), defenceweb.co.za reported.
“In recent years, Somalia has expanded its maritime law enforcement capability, allowing the SPF to deliver safety and security around Mogadishu Port and along Somalia’s coastline. This furnished and equipped base will allow the SPF to become increasingly more effective,” UN Secretary-General’s Deputy Special Representative for Somalia, Anita Kiki Gbeho, said in her remarks at the inauguration ceremony.
“For Somalia to continue expanding its ‘blue economy’ and benefit from wealth-generating opportunities its vast coast offers, maritime security and law enforcement will need to continue playing an enabling role,” she said.
The facility will support the development of Somalia’s ocean governance structures.
It would provide a base from which the SPF could operate around Mogadishu Port and along the Somali coastline, while assisting the country to build long-term maritime law-enforcement capacity, defenceweb.co.za reported.
The building comprises furnished headquarters with information technology equipment, a detention facility, a floating jetty, a boat ramp, as well as an accommodation unit. It includes maritime communications equipment to enable operational readiness, while 60 police officers have been provided with maritime law enforcement, marine engineering and maritime communications training and workshops.
“The SPF maritime law enforcement component will have a much, much more effective ability to operate and interact offshore and within the coastal areas of Somalia, to ensure maritime crime is reduced and effectively work forward on that,” UNOPS Country Director for Somalia, Tim Lardner, told the publication.
UNODC’s regional representative for East Africa, Neil Walsh, highlighted the role the new facility would play in assisting Somalia to fight organised transnational and maritime crime.
“We’re able to help police and investigators visit, board, search and seize, in keeping maritime security to the highest possible capability. Doing this together, there is no more important partner for us than the Federal Government of Somalia working with our partners across the UN and across the EU,” he said.
