STORY: AU SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE

FOR SOMALIA MEETS WITH MEMBERS OF

THE SOMALI-AMERICAN POLICE
ASSOCIATION IN MINNESOTA
DURATION: 2:55
SOURCE: AMISOM PUBLIC INFORMATION
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CREDIT REQUIRED: AMISOM PUBLIC INFORMATION
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH/SOMALI/NATS
DATELINE: 30TH SEPTEMBER 2015, MINNEAPOLIS ,
UNITED STATES
SHOTLIST
1. Med shot, The Special Representative of the
African Union Commission Chairperson (SRCC) for
Somalia, Amb. Maman Sidikou meeting with the
Minneapolis Police officers
2. Med shot, SRCC Amb. Maman Sidikou with
senior AMISOM officials at the meeting
3. Med shot, Minneapolis Police officers meeting
with the SRCC
4. Close up shot, SRCC Amb. Maman Sidikou
5. Wide shot, SRCC Amb. Maman Sidikou meeting
with the Minneapolis Police officers
6. SOUNDBITE:(English) Amb. Maman Sidikou, The
Special Representative of the African Union
Commission Chairperson (SRCC) for Somalia
I would like to invite you not to hesitate to see how you
can help. Be in touch with us as closely as possible with
our police component to see how you could support.
Because we know how experienced you are and at the end
of the day, its not for us to decide for Somalis but its for
Somalis to learn by way of experience on the way to go,
7. Med shot, SRCC Amb. Maman Sidikou meeting
with the Minneapolis Police officers

8. SOUNDBITE:(English) Amb. Maman Sidikou, The

Special Representative of the African Union
Commission Chairperson (SRCC) for Somalia
Reconfiguration we have in mind as places are freed or
liberated, and gradually police take over. Its not the role
of military with guns to deal with the rule of law including
just educating people to be their own police because
unless we go for community policing I am not sure well
make in-roads with citizens in terms of stabilization of the
place.
9. Wide shot, SRCC Amb. Maman Sidikou meeting
with the Minneapolis Police officers
10.
Med shot, Minneapolis Police officers
listening
11.
SOUNDBITE:(English) Amb. Maman Sidikou,
The Special Representative of the African Union
Commission Chairperson (SRCC) for Somalia
AMISOM is supporting the Somali National Army, also with
the construction of police stations in the regions, because
even if you liberate, its an empty place. Theres no office
to sit in, theres no place for people to put small arms.
They all have to relate to authority. A police station is one
place to play a critical role in that.
12.
Close up shot, Sgt. Siraach Weihid of the
transit metropolitan police speaking at the meeting
13.
Close up shot, SRCC Amb. Maman Sidikou
listening
14.
SOUNDBITE:(English) Sgt. Siraach Weihid,
Officer with the Minneapolis Transit Metropolitan
Police
I am very pleased and happy with what AMISOM has
committed in rebuilding and strengthening the Somali
National police. As police officers we know that peace
starts with police. Military have certain goals and tasks
once they achieve that is done. In order to have lasting
peace you need to have functioning police department.
You also need to have Attorney Generals office and a
functioning justice system,
15.
Med shot, The Special Representative of
the African Union Commission Chairperson (SRCC) for
Somalia, Amb. Maman Sidikou meeting with the
Minneapolis Police officers

SCRIPT

The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the

African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia and Head of
AMISOM Ambassador Maman Sidikou on 30th September
2015 held a meeting with members of the SomaliAmerican Police Association in the city of Minneapolis,
Minnesota, U.S.A, where they discussed capacity building
of the Somali Police Force, including partnerships that will
help Somalia counter radicalization.
Ambassador Sidikou who is meeting with different groups
of Somalis in the diaspora, asked Somalis living outside
the country to help in building positive values back home.
The AU Special Representative particularly appealed to the
Somali-American Police Association, to help the Somali
government improve the level of understanding of
policing, especially in areas where there is a breakdown of
law and order.
Ambassador Sidikou noted that police were better placed
to deal with civilians, as opposed to the military.
He said the Somali police force, like the military, has some
constraints, which include lack of training in critical areas,
and lack of equipment. He challenged the SomaliAmerican police to offer their expertise to Somalia and
help change the destiny of the country.
I would like to invite you not to hesitate to see how you
can help. Be in touch with us as closely as possible with
our police component to see how you could support.
Because we know how experienced you are and at the end
of the day, its not for us to decide for Somalis but its for
Somalis to learn by way of experience on the way to go,
he emphasized.
The SRCC added that in the restructuring that is ongoing
at AMISOM, the police within the Mission would have a

greater role to play, in areas that have been liberated by

the military.
He said, Reconfiguration we have in mind as places are
freed or liberated, and gradually police take over. Its not
the role of military with guns to deal with the rule of law
including just educating people to be their own police
because unless we go for community policing I am not
sure well make in-roads with citizens in terms of
stabilization of the place.
Ambassador Sidikou added, AMISOM is supporting the
Somali National Army, also with the construction of police
stations in the regions, because even if you liberate, its an
empty place. Theres no office to sit in, theres no place for
people to put small arms. They all have to relate to
authority. A police station is one place to play a critical role
in that.
In his remarks, the chairman of the Somali-American Police
Association Sergeant Siraach Weihid, expressed
satisfaction with the role AMISOM in strengthening and
rebuilding the Somali National Police.
I am very pleased and happy with what AMISOM has
committed in rebuilding and strengthening the Somali
National police. As police officers we know that peace
starts with police. Military have certain goals and tasks
once they achieve that is done. In order to have lasting
peace you need to have functioning police department.
You also need to have Attorney Generals office and a
functioning justice system,said Siraach.
A total of 540 police officers who are part of AMISOM are in
Somalia to help build the capacity of the Somali Police
Force.
END