PSC/PR/COMM.(DCXLIX) Page 2 Federal Government of Somalia, for these remarkable achievements and encourages regional and international actors to continue to work in a coordinated and coherent manner, in order to consolidate the gains made in the country; 6. Expresses deep concern over the continued threats posed by Al Shaabab to peace and security in Somalia and the region, through recurrent asymmetrical attacks. In this regard, Council strongly condemns these attacks. In particular, Council takes note of the incident, which occurred on 2 January 2017, outside the Medina Gate and at an entrance of a Hotel in Mogadishu and expresses its condolences to the families of the Somalia National Security Forces personnel who lost their lives and wishes quick recovery to those who sustained injuries. 7. Also notes with deep concern, some incidents of re-occupation by Al Shaabab in some key towns in HirShabelle region (Moqokori, Ceel Cali, Halgan) and Bakool region (Tiyeeglow town, Goof gadood). Council stresses the need for AMISOM and the SNSF to step up their efforts in the recovery and consolidation of security in territories liberated from Al Shaabab; 8. Expresses satisfaction with the implementation of the 2016 AMISOM Concept of Operations, and requests the Commission and AMISOM to spare no effort in ensuring that all operations are conducted in accordance with the CONOPs and within the proposed timelines. In this respect, Council decides to request the United Nations Security Council to authorize an AMISOM Troop surge of 4,500 for a non-renewable period of six (6) months, in order to undertake AMISOM mandated tasks as set out in the 2016 CONOPs especially in relation to the expansion of offensive operations as well as facilitate the exit strategy of the Mission; 9. Calls on the international community to continue to provide and increase its support to AMISOM and the SNSF commensurate with the challenges being faced in their efforts to promote and consolidate peace and security in Somalia; 10. Recalls that when the AU authorized the deployment of AMISOM in January 2007, it was on the understanding that AMISOM would only be deployed for a period of six (6) months, aimed essentially at contributing to the initial stabilization phase in Somalia and that, thereafter, the Mission would evolve into a UN operation that would support long term stabilization and post-conflict reconstruction of Somalia. In this context, Council requests the Chairperson of the Commission to urgently undertake strategic consultations to explore various funding options for AMISOM including through the convening of a high level tripartite meeting of the AU, the European Union and the UN to explore modalities for addressing the current funding challenges facing AMISOM. Council further requests the Commission to engage the EU with a view to finding a consensual solution to the payment of allowances to Burundi troops in AMISOM, based on a non-discriminatory approach, bearing in mind the peculiar nature of AMISOM operations, and in accordance with the Conclusions, of the 21st meeting of the AMISOM Military Operations Coordination Committee, held on 11 November 2016, in Addis Ababa;