Jowhar, 21 June 2024 – The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) on Thursday transferred management of the Jowhar City Ahead Working Base (FOB) to the Somali Nationwide Armed Forces (SNAF). It’s the second FOB to be handed over in Section Three of the troop drawdown.
Located within the strategic Center Shabelle area, the Jowhar City FOB has been below the command of the Burundi Nationwide Defence Forces (BNDF) since 2014. The FOB, which incorporates Horseed, Parliament, and State Home army bases, serves as a safety buffer for safeguarding the Hirshabelle State Presidential Palace, Parliament, and the area people.
The power can also be key to securing the Mogadishu-Jowhar Predominant Provide Route (MSR), offering VIP safety escorts, and aiding humanitarian organisations within the area.
Talking on the handover, the ATMIS Sector 5 Commander, Col. Oscar Hatugimana mentioned, “This handover demonstrates progress and Somalia’s dedication to rebuilding their nation. We depend on you to guard the inhabitants, keep peace and safety in areas below your management, and safeguard the hard-won positive aspects.”
“We’ve got full confidence in our Somali counterparts. We’ve got seen them efficiently assault, seize, and maintain floor. This sends a transparent message to terrorist teams that their days are numbered. A professionally educated and well-equipped SNAF is certainly a game-changer in combating terrorism in Somalia,” he added.
Col. Suleiman Ibrahim, representing ATMIS’s Deputy Power Commander in Cost of Assist and Logistics, mentioned, “It is a vital occasion because it demonstrates the willpower and capability of SNAF to imagine safety obligations whereas ATMIS gives help.”
The Chief of UNSOS Transition Planning Cell, Patrick Duah, underscored UNSOS’s vital position in fostering the transition course of by constructing capability and offering logistical help to SNAF and ATMIS.
“UNSOS has educated about 30 SNAF technicians to function and keep the tools that we’re handing over right this moment. The UN-owned tools we’re donating consists of turbines, storage tanks, water remedy crops, freezers, boreholes, and photo voltaic panels,” mentioned Patrick Duah.
The SNAF Commander within the Center Shabelle area, Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Yusuf Nuur, counseled ATMIS for his or her efficient position in degrading Al-Shabaab and reaffirmed SNAF’s dedication to attaining regional stability.
“I’m sure that the Somali Nationwide Armed Forces taking on will discharge their obligations efficiently. There can be no gaps. SNAF will assume the mantle of securing the area,” mentioned Brig. Gen. Nuur.
The State Minister of Finance, who represented the Hirshabelle State President, Abdirahman Ciise Dadow, affirmed the dedication of the federal member state to supporting the SNAF in securing the area.
The drawdown is in keeping with United Nations Safety Council Resolutions 2628 (2022), 2710 (2023), and 2719 (2023), which mandate ATMIS to switch safety obligations to the Federal Authorities of Somalia, as outlined within the Joint Idea of Operations (CONOPs) and the Somalia Transition Plan.
