After two years of reluctance, the European Union has signalled a willingness to fund the African Union’s peacekeeping force in Somalia, indicating a “continuity of support” – the clearest clue that suggests the bloc will resume its role as the primary funder – giving a lifeline to the cash-strapped mission that is concluding a tumultuous year and preparing for another in the Horn of Africa nation.
“We are committed to ensuring continuity of the EU’s support. The exact modalities will be announced once the support package is finalised,” a spokesperson for the EU told The EastAfrican in response to whether the bloc’ support is for a year or the five-year duration of the force’s mandate.
