A multi-partner project aimed at improving the coordination of international support to the Somali Police Force (SPF) was unveiled Thursday in the capital Mogadishu.

The  Police Projects Coordination Cell (PPCC), which has representation from the Somali Police Force, various United Nations bodies, the African Union Mission In Somalia (AMISOM) and bi-lateral donors and projects, will provide a platform for information exchange, allowing development partners to deliver a more coordinated response to the needs of Somali police.

Somalia, which is making a slow but steady recovery from two decades of civil war, is in need of strong police institutions at the federal and member state levels that have the capacity to protect lives and property and ensure that citizens enjoy peace and security. This new project will be spearheaded by senior SPF officials.

Speaking during the launch, Somalia’s Deputy Police Commissioner, Gen Bashir Abdi Mohamed, said the body’s mission was to establish a professional force able to provide quality services to the public “under the most challenging circumstances.”

Gerard Smith, the Senior Coordinator (police projects) from UNSOM, said all members involved in the PPCC were committed to improving coordination and to contribute to the development of the Somali Police.

The chairman of the PPCC, Said Hassan, said Somalia needed a credible, modern and professional police force with adequate resources to carry out its duties.

Speaking during the launch, the AMISOM Assistant Commissioner of Police, Amadu Mannah, said the endorsement of the policing model by the country’s National Leadership Forum signified recognition of police forces at both the federal and member state levels.

“The adoption of the policing model by the Leadership Forum in Baidoa was a wonderful development. It means that all regional police forces, together with the Somali Police Force, will now be able to police the country in unison. This is exactly what we have been clamouring for”, Mr Mannah noted.

Lt. Col. Zakia Hussein Ahmed of the SPF expounded on the vision of a future police force in Somalia, saying the country aims to set up a force that  meets international standards.

“We envision our police force to be strong enough not just to take care of Somali security, but also able to establish regional security”, Zakia added.

When fully functional, the PPCC will co-ordinate all police-related projects with existing Somali governance bodies.