Senior chiefs visit UPDF troops in Mogadishu amid Al-Shabaab threat

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Two senior commanders visited Ugandan People's Defense Forces [UPDF] troops within Mogadishu on Thursday, a day before another Al-Shabaab attack, which left ten people dead on Friday at LUL Yemeni restaurant in the capital.

AMISOM Force Commander Lt. General Diomede Ndegeya who hails from Burundi and Somali National Army [SNA] boss General Yusuf Rageh Odowaa visited a contingent of the UPDF troops, in what is considered a morale-boosting mission.

During the mission, the two generals held a closed-door meeting with UPDF troops who serve in Sector I of the AMISOM which includes Lower Shabelle and parts of Mogadishu, the Somali capital. The UPDF headquarters also house AMISOM and other diplomatic offices in Somalia.

The joint visit is part of wider efforts to enhance coordination and joint military operations by AMISOM and the Somali National Army, SNA, against the militant group, Al-Shabaab.

On arrival, the two commanders inspected a guard of honor mounted by Ugandan soldiers and held a closed-door security meeting with top AMISOM officers, including the Contingent Commander of Ugandan troops in Somalia, Brig. Gen. Don William Nabasa and another sector 1 commanders.

Lt. Gen Ndegeya lauded Uganda troops for their immense role in restoring security and stability by degrading the Al-Shabaab and winning the hearts and minds of local Somali communities by implementing Civil-Military Cooperation, CIMIC, activities in their Area of Responsibility, AoR.

“Allow me to congratulate through you, sector commanders – both AMISOM and SNA, and all the brave SNA and UPDF soldiers who, recently, on 20 February put out of action 60 Al-Shabaab militants, including some of their commanders,” Lt. Gen. Ndegeya said.

The joint visit is also part of efforts to enhance synergy between the two forces in the implementation of the Somali Transition Plan, STP.

“Additionally the visit has the objective to set up staff and coordination activities in sectors, to engage sector commanders on enhancing joint offensive operations, to promote the spirit of cooperation, and to synchronize operation plans,” the Force Commander said.

He lauded Uganda troops for their commitment in the implementation of the Somali Transition Plan, thereby setting the pace.

“Sector one in implementation of AMISOM reconfiguration plan endorsed by the Military Operations Coordination Committee, MOCC, on October 20, 2020, is taking the lead by relocating Mashlay Forward Operating Base, FOB, in Janale, repositioning the standby mobile force and partially handing over Afgoye bridge FOB,” Lt. Gen. Diomede revealed.

The SNA Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Odowaa Yusuf Rageh, commended AMISOM for its contribution to the stabilization of Somalia, noting that SNA is keen to harmonize strategies.

“As you all know, we have been implementing strategic documents, including the Concept of Operations, CONOPS, the Somali Transition Plan, STP, and others over the past 14 year period that AMISOM has been in the country. To expedite our shared goals, we found it necessary to reconfigure our strategies together,” Gen. Odowaa said.

The meeting just came a day before Al-Shabaab militants attacked the capital, killing 10 people at a popular restaurant in Mogadishu. At least 30 people were injured also when a car laden with explosives was detonated at LUL Yemeni restaurant, police confirmed.

Already, the attack has attracted worldwide condemnation with the United Nations sending condolences to the affected families. The UN, which is directly responsible for security in Somalia, also extended well wishes to the injured people.

"The UN in Somalia strongly condemns the vicious Al-Shabaab attack on 5 March in Mogadishu, extends condolences and solidarity to the families of those who lost their lives, and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured," read the statement.

GAROWE ONLINE