AMISOM boss visits injured soldiers in Nairobi, hails them for services rendered in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Soldiers from different African Union contributing countries in the peacekeeping mission in Somalia have been hailed as "true heroes" of the African continent.

Special Representative for AU Commission chairperson to Somalia Ambassador Francisco Madeira on Monday said the troops as a sign of hope.

Madeira, who is also the head of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), visited injured soldiers in various hospitals across Nairobi.

Nairobi plays home to injured soldiers in the war against Al-Shabaab due to improved health facilities. Most of the soldiers are admitted to Forces Memorial Hospital.

The special envoy lauded contributions and sacrifices by the injured soldiers, adding that their services will be forever cherished.

Madeira said: "These for us are special people. This for us is our heroes, not for a country but heroes of our continent, on the ideal."

The AMISOM boss was accompanied by Force Commander Lieutenant General Tigabu Yilma, who was elevated to the position in January this year.

As an African continent, he said, "We want to build safe Africa. Some of these young people were starting their lives and they were in the front line."

Some of the countries which have contributed troops in Somalia peacekeeping mission including Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, Kenya, and Ethiopia.

In a report released by United Nations Panel of Experts, Kenya is said to have suffered most casualties, with the death toll hitting about 700.

Since 2010 when AU deployed troops to Somalia, a total of about 1,800 soldiers have been killed by Al-Shabaab militants.

But despite the setback, the troops have managed to liberate strategic towns among them Kismayo in Jubaland besides killing hundreds of militants.

Kenya Defense Forces suffered the worst attack in 2016 at the El Adde army base in which Al-Shabaab militants killed over 200 soldiers.

In Nairobi, AMISOM has helped the country to set an elaborate welfare and compensation structure to address the plights of soldiers killed or injured in the war.

The compensation claims are now being handled by 69 newly-opened welfare centers spread across various military formations, units, and bases around the country.

“The welfare centers aim to address the challenges faced by serving and retired service personnel, those with disabilities, families, and dependents of deceased,” KDF boss Gen Samson Mwathethe said in October.

AMISOM troops are training and equipping Somali National Army (SNA) ahead of planned strategic exit projected to be after 2020/21 Somali elections.

All soldiers rendering services in Somalia are paid fully by the African Union, European Union, United Nations, and the United States.

GAROWE ONLINE