A smaller force to stay behind as ATMIS exits ANALYSIS | IAN KATUSIIME | Lt. Gen. Sam Kavuma, the new Force Commander of African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), arrived in Mogadishu on July 28 to oversee the last phase of a troop drawdown process that started five years ago. …
Read More »Somali army close to autonomy as AU ramp up forces’ withdraw
Somalia’s slow military rebuild after decades of civil war is finally yielding results as the country regains control over its security. The development is being watched keenly by both citizens and allies. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | African Union-backed forces in Somalia are transferring more military bases to their …
Read More »ATMIS hands over 4th army base to Somalia amid security pledge
MOGADISHU | Xinhua | The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) on Saturday handed over Abdalle Birolle military base to the Somali National Army (SNA), marking the transfer of the fourth military facility as part of the third phase of the ATMIS troop drawdown. ATMIS said in a statement …
Read More »ATMIS honours Ugandan soldiers for distinguished service in Somalia
Mogadishu,Somalia | THE INDEPENDENT | The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) has paid glowing tribute to the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) for their contributions and exemplary service in promoting security and stability in Somalia. At a ceremony held at the UPDF Headquarters in Sector One, Mogadishu …
Read More »ATMIS staff officers conclude induction training in Mogadishu
Mogadishu, Somalia | THE INDEPENDENT | An intense five-day induction course for 32 newly deployed staff officers serving with the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) ended with a call on the officers to serve with dedication and professionalism. The plea to work to advance attainment of the …
Read More »AU bids farewell to Lt. Gen Okiding
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Sivuyile Bam, the Deputy Special Representative of the African Union (AU) Chairman in Somalia, has urged Lt Gen Sam Okiding not to abandon Somalia as he transitions to his new role as the Deputy Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) of the Ugandan military. Lt Gen …
Read More »Defence spending Shs.400 million monthly to fly troops to Somalia
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Ministry of Defence is spending a total of Shs400 million monthly to fly troops to Somalia and other destinations following the grounding of planes owned by Uganda Air Cargo. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Rosette Byengoma, told the Committee on Defence and Internal …
Read More »Somalia flag raised at the EAC
Arusha, Tanzania | THE INDEPENDENT | The Federal Republic of Somalia has been officially declared the newest member of the East African Community after depositing her Instrument of Ratification of the Treaty of Accession with the Secretary-General Monday morning. The Federal Republic of Somalia is officially declared the newest member of …
Read More »Global charity urges for protection of girls in Somalia amid surge in rape, sexual abuses
MOGADISHU | Xinhua | Save the Children, an international charity, has called for increased protection of women and girls in Somalia amid a surge in sexual abuse and rape against teenage girls in recent months. The charity said a 13-year-old girl was raped by a group of armed men outside …
Read More »Uganda’s Somalia adventure 2
Why Uganda should stop deluding itself that it is in Somalia to protect the people of that country THE LAST WORD | Andrew M. Mwenda | Last week in this column, I argued that Uganda’s mission in Somalia is like America’s mission in Afghanistan. This lesson was hammered into my head reading a …
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