The cooperation project “Application of the Rule of Law in the Horn of Africa and Yemen” comes to an end

Since 2017, the European cooperation project “Application of the Rule of Law in the Horn of Africa and Yemen” has promoted improvements in the capacities of the units in charge of investigations related to the fight against terrorism, in particular the Somalia Police Force’s (SPF) Criminal Investigation Division (CID). FIIAPP is the Spanish body in charge of its implementation with a mandate from the European Union.

During these four years, training was provided to improve criminal investigations, information collection, the analysis of this information and the producion of intelligence to combat terrorism. Likewise, the autonomous capacity of the Ministry of the Interior and Security (MoIS) has been promoted to respond adequately to terrorist threats through training instructors and by establishing databases for investigative and judicial purposes.

The training reinforced the importance of human rights and the rule of law as the main drivers of any action undertaken by Somalia’s law enforcement agencies. In this context, the project has also conducted training sessions for the Attorney General’s Office (AGO).

To carry out these activities, FIIAPP has drawn on the experience of police and judicial institutions in the EU Member States. Institutions including the Arma dei Carabinieri (Italy), the Spanish Ministry of the Interior (National Police and Civil Guard) and Sustainable Criminal Justice Solutions (United Kingdom) have been able to transmit their experience to the SPF. For their part, the Spanish Public Ministry, CIVIPOL and the École National de la Magistrature have also contributed to the training courses given to AGO.

The closing of the project was formalised with an event involving authorities from the MoIS, representatives of the EU delegation in Somalia, senior officials from EUCAP Somalia and FIIAPP. At this meeting, the Minister of State, Farhan Ali Ahmed, recognised the valuable effort and work carried out by the project and by its team of experts deployed during these years.

During the event, FIIAPP donated the equipment purchased during the project, which is to be used to enhance the capabilities of the surveillance team established by the CID. The equipment provided includes biometric kits to collect information from suspicious individuals and surveillance tools.

The high-level participation by the Somalian partners and the EU and EUCAP delegation sends a clear message that FIIAPP and the other implementing partners have been providing valuable experience to the work undertaken by the CID and that this requires continuity. The Minister of State, in addition to recognising the importance of the contributions made, also asked the EU partners to continue their support, a baton that will be picked up by EUCAP Somalia, who will add their experience and knowledge to this effort to monitor and improve EU support to the Somalia Security Sector.