Garowe - The Director of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia’s Rule of Law and Security Institutions Group (ROLSIG), Waldemar Vrey, met with the President of the Puntland State of Somalia, Abdiwali Mohamed Ali Gaas, to discuss strengthening the state’s security institutions and security sector development.

During the meeting, the President identified three areas where reform efforts of the Puntland authorities are focused: justice, security sector reform and the civil service.

Security is our number one priority. Puntland is at the forefront in the areas of defense, counter-terrorism, piracy and illegal migration. Our vision is to reform the police and the military and create smaller, but more robust army and police services,” said President Gaas.

He noted that Puntland required technical and financial support in order to achieve these goals.
Speaking during the meeting, UNSOM’s Vrey and President Gaas discussed possible areas of support in the development of the security sector as well as potential collaboration in other areas, such as disengagement of Al-Shabaab and training for the police.

“I am very pleased with the recent development in the implementation of the Compact; important support in the rule of law area would come through the Compact mechanisms. In addition, the increased and increasing UNSOM footprint in Garowe will result in additional visits, follow-ups and activities,” said Mr. Vrey.

President Gaas and the UNSOM team agreed that there would be a need to quickly translate the meeting’s outcomes into action.

The ROLSIG Director and members of the team also paid visits to some of the key institutions including the Ministry of Justice and Religious Affairs, the Ministry of Rehabilitation, Security & Disarmament Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) as well as the Ministry of Constitution, Federal Affairs & Democratization. They also met with the Parliamentary Sub-Committee on Security and the Committee on Counting and Reforming the Security Sector. The team paid a visit to the Garowe prison and was briefed by the Director General and UNODC.