ATMIS Commander visits UPDF bases in Somalia to assess troops' battle readiness

A delegation of African Union Transition Mission in Somalia(ATMIS) officials  led by ATMIS Force Commander Lt. Gen. Sam Okiding, on Sunday visited UPDF troops stationed at Qoryole and Janaale Foward OPerating Bases(FOB).

According to a statement released by the ATMIS, the visits aimed at  assessing the troops' combat readiness and boost their morale. 

Lt. Gen. Okiding praised UPDF troops for their contribution to securing Somalia and protecting local communities against Al-Shabaab and other armed groups. The Force Commander also met with local leaders and discussed collaboration in the fight against terrorism.

Uganda  was the first country  to deploy troops under African Union Mission in Somalia  (AMISOM) into Somalia in March 2007. 

The Ugandan contingent remains the largest contingent in the mission with troops based in Sector 1 which comprises of Banadir (Mogadishu), Middle and Lower Shabelle regions. 

However,ATMIS has started to drawdown in compliance with the United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR) 2628(22) and 2670(22) which mandates ATMIS to drawdown 2000 soldiers by the end of June 2023. 

Supported by the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), ATMIS on June 21 handed over the first Forward Operating Base (FOB) at Xaaji Cali in the Hirshabelle State to the Somali National Army (SNA). The FOB was under the Area of Responsibility (AOR) of ATMIS Burundi National Defence Forces (BNDF).  

in a phased hand over of security responsibilities to the Somali security forces in the implementation of the Somali Transition Plan. The AU peace Mission is expected to fully exit Somalia by 31 December 2024.