STORY: Somali Community Leaders in Minnesota hold talks with AU Special Representative
DURATION: 02:00
SOURCE: AMISOM PUBLIC INFORMATION
RESTRICTIONS: This media asset is free for editorial broadcast, print, online and radio use. It is not to be sold on and is restricted for other purposes. All enquiries to news@auunist.org
CREDIT REQUIRED: AMISOM PUBLIC INFORMATION
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH/SOMALI/NATURAL SOUND
DATELINE: 2015/09/30 MINNESOTA, USA
SHOTLIST
1. Med shot, the moderator giving the opening remarks
2. Wide shot, The Special Representative of the AU Commission Chairperson for
Somalia and Head of AMISOM Amb. Maman Sidikou seated with the
community leaders
3. Med shot, the moderator giving the opening remarks
4. Med shot, The Special Representative of the AU Commission Chairperson for
Somalia and Head of AMISOM Amb. Maman Sidikou speaking the community
leaders
5. SOUNDBITE (English) The Special Representative of the AU Commission Chairperson for Somalia and Head of AMISOM Amb. Maman Sidikou, “10,900 is what we are working on to support so that we can fight meaningfully together to degrade the Al-Shabaab but the police will have to take over as the areas are really freed as the police has the core mandate with law and order and knows better the rule of law, but most importantly AMISOM and all our partners have to coordinate better their actions to support the Somali national forces to stand up so that AMISOM contingent can go home and Somalis do what everybody does for his or her own country-be in charge of the defence and security of one’s own borders and protection of the population and security generally speaking,”
6. Med shot, community elders listening
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Accountant and Community Organizer Faisal
Mohamed, “I was hoping that AMISOM will come up with a strategy that has
reconciliation and peace.”
8. Wide shot, Faisal Mohamed speaking

SCRIPT
The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia and Head of AMISOM Ambassador Maman Sidikou met leaders of the Somali community in Minnesota, U.S.A, on the last day of his four day visit to Minneapolis.
Speaking at a dinner attended by scholars, youth leaders and members of the business community on Friday October 2nd, Ambassador Sidikou briefed the community on the progress made in Somalia’s stabilization efforts, , including shoring up the Somali National Army (SNA) to deal with the country’s security challenges once AMISOM pulls out.
“10,900 is what we are working on to support so that we can fight meaningfully together to degrade the Al-Shabaab but the police will have to take over as the areas are really freed as the police has the core mandate with law and order and knows better the rule of law,” said Ambassador Maman Sidikou.
He apprised the community on the military campaign against the Al Shabaab, and progress made in providing social services to liberated areas, noting that there is need for increased coordination between AMISOM and other partners so as to transform Somalia’s security forces into efficient institutions, capable of dealing with the country’s security challenges.
“But most importantly AMISOM and all our partners have to coordinate better their actions to support the Somali national forces to stand up so that AMISOM contingent can go home and also Somalis do what everybody does for his or her own country-be in charge of the defence and security of one’s own borders and protection of the population and security generally speaking,” said SRCC Sidikou.
The meeting with the community leaders is part of series of meetings that Ambassador Sidikou has held with Somalis living in Minnesota State, which has the largest Somali population in the United States.
While the leaders acknowledged that progress had been made, and there was a return to normalcy in most parts of the country, they urged AMISOM through Ambassador Sidikou and other key stakeholders to step up efforts to secure the whole country. They also urged AMISOM to incorporate reconciliation as part of wider efforts to pacify the country.
“ I was hoping that AMISOM will come up with a strategy that has reconciliation and peace,” Faisal Mohamed, an Accountant and community organizer said.
AMISOM forces came into Somalia in 2007 to liberate the country from Al Shabaab militants. The militants have been degraded and driven out of most parts of the country. Efforts to push them out completely is ongoing.
END
