African Union trains forces to fight Al-Shabab and stabilize Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia -- The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) has completed training of military officers from six regional countries to help stabilize the Horn of Africa nation.

The AU mission also challenged the military officers from Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Uganda, and Zimbabwe to diligently perform their duties in furthering the mission and mandate of the Mission.

"The knowledge attained during the induction will assist you to deliver diligently, effectively with competence and professionalism," AMISOM chief training officer, Sebsibe Duba told the inducted officers according to a statement issued on Monday by the mission.

Duba also urged the officers to maintain discipline and apply the highest level of professionalism during their time of service under AMISOM.

The military staff officers were apprised of the AMISOM mandate, context, and culture of the host country, and international humanitarian law (IHL).

Other topics covered include the rules of engagement, conduct and discipline, prevention of sexual abuse and exploitation, and human rights in the context of AMISOM operations.

The induction course for the recently deployed officers is a mandatory requirement for all uniformed personnel before they commence service under AMISOM.

The staff officers, to be based at the AMISOM force headquarters in Mogadishu, will be attached to logistics, training, communication, intelligence, operations, and plans units, said the AU mission.

During the five-day training, the officers were grilled on their roles and responsibilities and equipped with knowledge and skills to enable them to perform their work effectively in assisting AMISOM to deliver on its mandate.

According to AMISOM, the military officers were also taken through Somalia Transition Plan, under which AMISOM is gradually transferring security responsibilities to Somali Security Forces.