By Geof Magga
The Africa Report
Jan 20, 2012

Emma Tinka, head of the Ugandan government's public affairs, announced that the police component of the African Union Mission for Somalia (AMISOM) has launched a capacity building and leadership-training, contributing to an ongoing Somali Police Force (SPF) training of the officers.

Both Ugandan and Burundian governments deployed troops to Somalia shortly after the creation of AMISOM in 2007. Kenya also recently sent soldiers to Somalia after Al-Shabaab militias allegedly crossed the Kenyan border, abducted holiday makers and made demands for a huge ransom.

Tinka stated that: "The training which is currently underway at Brigadier General Kahiye Police Academy in Mogadishu has been organised and funded by the Somali police force."

"The 12-week training course, now a week old, will equip junior police commanders selected from various police stations across Mogadishu with skills and knowledge to perform their duties in newly liberated areas of Mogadishu."

Earlier this month, AMISOM forces pushed Al-Shabaab out and secured a large portion of Mogadishu, the Somali capital.

It was also reported that Ethiopian troops - deployed to Somalia after an appeal from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), a regional body - had captured the strategic Somali town of Baladweyne from Al-Shabaab.

Somalia police official, Ahmed Ali said that the "timely training" comes after a consultative meeting held on 7 January between AMISOM police and the SPF to help maintain law and order after peace is finally secured in the country.

And according to Brigadier General Ahmed Dayib Ahmed of the Somali Police Force "the...force has a critical task to protect civilians and maintain law and order across the country. In this light we would like to encourage and train police commanders with the appropriate skills and knowledge."

"Our force is still new. The training will help much in building capacity of Somali police force especially in delivering services" Ali said.

Over 300 Somali soldiers have been trained in Uganda over the past few years.