KDF, Uganda Forces Hand Over Final FOBs, Marking End Of ATMIS’ Phase One Of Troop Drawdown

MOGADISHU, Somalia June 30 -The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) has concluded the first phase of the troop drawdown after handing over the last two Forward Operating Bases (FOBs), Aljazeera 1 in Mogadishu and Gherille in Jubaland State.

Gherille FOB in the Gedo region of Jubaland State was under the responsibility of ATMIS Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) while Aljazeera 1 located on the outskirts of the capital, Mogadishu, was under the responsibility of ATMIS Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).

In collaboration with the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) and the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), a total of seven FOBs were earmarked for handover to enable the drawdown of 2000 troops.

All the seven FOBs -Xaaji Cali, Miirtugo, Cadale, Albao, Gherille, Aljazeera 1 and Marka Ayub -have been handed over to Somali Security Forces (SSF).

In Gherille, near the Kenya-Somalia border, the ATMIS commander of the FOB, Maj. Terence Shitanda Soita, handed over the facility to the Jubaland Security Forces (JSF) commander of the FOB, Lt. Col. Salan Afey.

The Commander of ATMIS KDF Battalion based in Burahache, Lt. Col. Andrew Kamau Nganga, described the handover as historic and lauded the SSF for their cooperation.

“We will still continue to work closely with the incoming commander and his team to support them to establish themselves,” said Lt. Col. Nganga.

The Deputy Commander of Jubaland Security Forces in the Gedo region, Col. Noor Abdi Hussein, commended the Kenyan troops for their continued contributions to the ongoing efforts to restore security and stability in Somalia.

“One of the biggest sacrifices someone can make is to shed his blood for you and that is exactly what KDF have done for Somalia. Kenya is like our right hand,” he said.

The former ATMIS KDF Gherille FOB commander, Maj. Shitanda, said the FOB had significantly contributed to the safety and security in the region by facilitating operations against the Al-Shabaab and other armed groups.

“This FOB was strategic to conducting offensives and joint operations against AlShabaab and other armed groups. Together with our brothers, we have done mentorship programmes and we are confident that the SSF have acquired the needed capacity to carry on with the operations,” said Maj. Shitanda.

The ATMIS military Chief Operations Officer, Col. Milton Katarinyeba, who was also in Gherille for the handover, appealed to the Jubaland Security Forces to remain vigilant and collaborate with Federal government forces to ensure the safety of the local population.

At the Al-Jazeera 1 Training camp, the ATMIS Uganda contingent commander, Brig. Gen. Peter Omola, handed over the FOB to Col. Ahmed Mohamed Hassan, the Advisor to the SNA Chief of Defence Forces (CDF).