China donates $2.2m to AU mission in Somalia

The People’s Republic of China has donated $2.2 million to support the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) as part of its partnership with the AU in peace and security.

A statement issued by the AU said $1.2 million will be spent on improving the welfare of the staff of AMISOM, who are operating under “very challenging circumstances”, while $1 million will be for the construction of armouries for the Somali National Army (SNA).

The statement expressed the gratitude of the AU Commissioner for Peace and Security, to the Chinese government.

“The Commissioner for Peace and Security seizes this opportunity to reiterate the AU’s deep appreciation to the Chinese Government for its support to the AU’s efforts in Somalia and the larger peace and security agenda.”

“He notes in this respect, the pledge made by Chinese President Xi Jinping, on 28 September 2015, to earmark 100 million dollars in support of the African Standby Force and other peace support operations on the Continent and additional announcements made during the just-concluded Forum for China-Africa Cooperation, which took place in Johannesburg, South Africa”, the statement said.

By Emmanuel Odonkor