NAIROBI, July 28 (Xinhua) -- The Kenyan government on Thursday sent 19 police officers to Somalia to help enhance stabilization efforts in the country.
Police spokesman Bruno Shioso said in a statement issued on Wednesday evening in Nairobi that the officers will join an ongoing peacekeeping mission under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), aiming at de-escalating violence in the country and ensuring peaceful coexistence by supporting dialogue, training, mentoring, advising, and sharing experiences.
The ATMIS Police component will have 1,040 personnel, including five Formed Police Units (FPUs), and will maintain that number until December 2024, according to the United Nations Security Council Resolution.
Bruno said the police officers are expected to support specialized training, advising and mentorship of the Somali police force including in joint patrols and protection of vital installations.
The officers drawn from various units in the National Police Service will join other security personnel already in Somalia who are fighting al-Qaida allied group al-Shabab, in an effort to ensure stability. ■