Stakeholders review ATMIS financial management and audit

MOMBASA, 6 October 2022 – The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia

(ATMIS) has concluded a three-day workshop in Mombasa, Kenya, to review the
mission's financial management and audit status and update stakeholders on the
implementation of the mission’s objectives.

Participants at the three-day workshop included representatives from ATMIS police and
troop contributing countries, namely Burundi, Kenya, Ghana, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Sierra
Leone, Djibouti, and Uganda, officials from ATMIS, and key departments of the African
Union Commission that are crucial for the management of peace support operations,
financial and human resource management, and audit.

During the workshop, participants were updated on the progress and financial
management of the mission, including processing of liabilities regarding death and
disability, troop allowances, and third-party claims.

The Acting Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission
(DSRCC) for Somalia, Fiona Lortan, said the workshop provided stakeholders an
opportunity to discuss challenges faced in the management of funds provided by the
EU, UN and other partners, in particular with regard to processing of death and disability
claims, missing in action, and other liabilities.

“ATMIS receives funding from the European Union. In addition, we have a financial
package from the United Nations for logistical support. So, we are here to discuss
management and accounting to ensure that the funds provided are properly accounted
for,” said Lortan.

The workshop, which concluded on Wednesday, also examined the database

management system, identified ways to improve financial and internal control systems
involving troop allowances, death and disability compensation payments, and reviewed
the assets of the mission.

Participants discussed ATMIS's funding and audit status, and were briefed on the
mission's audit reports from key funding partners that include European Union and the
United Kingdom.

Other issues discussed included a status report on compensation for death and
disability of ATMIS personnel including clearing of the backlog, ATMIS Board of Inquiry
challenges, and ATMIS Standard Operating Procedures.

A status report on the compensation of death and disability claims from 2007 to 2020
was presented at the workshop by the AU Head of Peace and Security Finance
Division, Selidji Gbaguidi.
Kenya’s Vice Chief of Defence Forces, Lt. Gen. Francis Omondi Ogolla, who officiated
at the opening, underscored the need for speedy processing of compensation for death
and disability.

ENDS