© US DOD
NATO has accepted to assist the African Union (AU) mission in Somalia (AMISOM) by providing airlift support to AU member states willing to deploy in Somalia under AMISOM. The Alliance is currently waiting for specific requirements in this regard.
NATO assistance to the African Union in Somalia will be undertaken, using existing proven procedures as employed to provide the airlift support to the African Union Mission in Somalia.
Following a general AU request on 17 January 2007 to all partners, including NATO, for financial and logistical support to AMISOM, the African Union made a more specific request to NATO only on 22 May 2007. It consisted of a request for airlift support to AU member states willing to deploy in Somalia under AMISOM.
On 7 June, the North Atlantic Council agreed, in principle, to support this request. NATO’s support was initially authorised until 21 August. Following renewed AU requests, the North Atlantic Council has agreed on two occasions to extend its support by six months: 21-August to 21 February 2008; and from 22 February to 21 August 2008.
