AU new Force Commander assumes office in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The African Union Mission troops in Somalia on Monday ushered in a new Force Commander, marking the beginning of a major transition in the Horn of Africa nation, which has been struggling with insecurity for decades partly due to endless Al-Shabaab attacks.

Lieutenant General Diomede Ndegeya from Burundi took over from Lieutenant General Tigabu Yilma, an Ethiopian, who has been on the helm of Africa Union Mission troops since 2019, and who is credited for significant progress in fighting terrorism in Somalia, having led the force in liberating many towns.

Lt. General Yilma hailed the AU mission troops for fighting Al-Shabaab militants wholeheartedly and helping in training and equipping the Somali National Army [SNA]. The AU forces work closely with SNA, which is set to assume security responsibilities once the AMISOM troops exit the country.

The Ethiopian National Defense Forces [ENDF] veteran commander noted the recent capture of Janaale town in Lower Shebelle as a milestone, adding that it played a huge role in degrading Al-Shabaab militants. The AU and SNA troops captured the agricultural-rich town in March this year.

"Speaking at the ceremony, Lt. Gen. Tigabu Yilma reported the capture of Janaale town as one of AMISOM's key achievements in degrading Al Shabaab since his deployment to the mission in January 2019," the AMISOM said in a tweet, Monday.

Gen. Yilma noted that the liberation of Janaale has contributed to the improved security situation in Lower Shabelle and Mogadishu, adding that the bridge towns of Bariire, Sabiid, and Awdheegle have now been handed over to the SNA as part of the AMISOM transition process.

UN the Somali Transition Plan [STP], the AU forces will leave Somalia by 2021 after having equipped and trained the Somali National Army [SNA]. As of now, there are close to 22,000 AMISOM troops in Somalia and are assigned roles in jurisdictions determined by Force Commanders.

Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Burundi are some of the nations which have contributed troops in Somalia to fight Al-Shabaab. The Kenya Defense Forces [KDF] joined the mission in 2012, slightly a year into their Operation Linda Nchi, which saw the troops conquer the strategy seaport city of Kismayo.

The incoming Force Commander thanked Yilma for his steadfast leadership and commitment to help the Federal Government of Somalia. The new commander will among others, help with the implementation of the Somali Transition Plan [STP] which is due next year.

"The Force Commander Lt. Gen. Diomede Ndegeya thanked his predecessor and assured him of his commitment to serve the people of Somalia and maintain the excellent work and progress made so far," AMISOM added in a tweet.

Head of AMISOM Fransisco Madeira commended the outgoing Force Commander for achieving much during his time in AMISOM despite serving at a time when the troop numbers had been reduced by 1000 saying that the capture of Janaale town happened shortly after this reduction.

Somalia has been fighting for peace and stability for over three decades after the ouster of military ruler General Siad Barre. The Al-Shabaab, which first attacked in 2008, has been pushing to topple the fragile UN-backed Somalia government, which still depends on external assistance for survival.

GAROWE ONLINE