PSC/PR/COMM.1(DLXII) Page 5 20. Notes with concern the negative impact of the imminent funding gap that would result from the decision of the EU, within the framework of the support extended through the Africa Peace Facility (APF), to reduce by 20% the allowances to AMISOM uniformed personnel starting from January 2016. Council requests the Commission to continue to engage the EU, with a view to addressing all issues of concern, as well as to explore alternative solutions with other partners, bearing in mind that the reduction of allowances for uniformed personnel will seriously affect the morale of the personnel and the overall effectiveness of AMISOM, with serious adverse effect on the ongoing process in Somalia; 21. Reiterates that, in deploying AMISOM, the AU is acting on behalf of the UN Security Council, which has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. Council, accordingly, calls on the Security Council to extend enhanced support to AMISOM to enable it fully deliver on its mandate and support the process leading to the 2016 elections, until such a time the UN is in a position to deploy a peacekeeping mission, bearing in mind that, in resolution 2232 (2015), the Security Council agreed with the Secretary-General that conditions in Somalia are not appropriate for the deployment of a UN peacekeeping mission until the end of 2016 at the earliest; 22. Reiterates the central and critical role of the SNA not only in joint operations, but also in taking over security functions in recovered areas to facilitate continued offensive operations. In this respect, Council recalls its earlier pronouncements on the establishment of a non-lethal support package for the SPF and on the extension to Puntland forces of the non-lethal support package for the SNA, as well as of the related recommendations of the UN Secretary-General. Council takes note of the assessment made by the UN Secretary-General on this matter, and looks forward to progress on this issue, including the identification of a suitable entity to provide support to the SPF and to Puntland forces. In the meantime, Council welcomes the decision of the Security Council, in resolution 2245 (2015), to authorize the expansion of the targeted support package to SNA troops on joint operations with AMISOM in relation to field defense stores and radio communication, and the provision of in-theatre medical evacuation for the SPF; 23. Calls, once again, on international partners to enhance support to the Somali National Security Forces, both lethal and non-lethal, to facilitate the takeover from AMISOM of security responsibilities by the respective Somali institutions; 24. Stresses the importance of the active involvement of the Somali civil society, including women and youth, in the efforts to counter violent extremism and promote lasting peace, security and reconciliation in the country. In this regard, Council looks forward to the recommendations of the ''Conference on Community-Based Approaches to Counter ExtremismThe Role of Somali Women'', to be organized by AMISOM and the FGS in Djibouti on 15 and 17 December 2015;