Burundi troops commended for outstanding role in areas of operation

African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) Force Commander, Lieutenant Gen. Tigabu Yilma, poses for a group photo with senior officers from the sector five contingent of AMISOM during a working visit to Jowhar, Somalia

Burundi troops commended for outstanding role in areas of operation

On 23 September, AMISOM Burundi troops were commended for their hard work in clearing main supply routes, training and mentoring Somali Security Forces and cooperating with members of the community in civil-military activities in their areas of responsibility.

The AMISOM Force Commander Lt. Gen.

Tigabu Yilma visited the Burundian troops in Jowhar to assess the progress made in executing AMISOM’s mandate.

Lt. Gen. Tigabu met with the AMISOM Burundian commanders and other officials and discussed the security situation and the state of civil-military projects undertaken by the AMISOM forces to support the local population.

AMISOM Force Spokesperson, Lt. Col. Charles Imbiakha, who addressed the media after the meeting, said the Force Commander had expressed satisfaction with the work of the Burundian soldiers in stabilising the areas they operated in, and the surroundings.

Lt. Col. Imbiakha said that the Force Commander had accredited the success in operations to the coordination between AMISOM, Somali Security Forces and the local communities.

“The Force Commander expressed satisfaction that BNDF has been able to stabilise the entire area, has contributed to the opening of the main supply routes to Mogadishu and has been able to integrate with society in civil-military operations. BNDF has also been able to mentor, to a large extent, the Somali Security Forces.

He added, “The Burundi troops are now in the process of handing over Forward Operating Bases to the Somali Security Forces as per UN Security Council Resolution 2472, which requires that we mentor and handover the security of this country back to the Somali

Security Forces by December 2021.” Imbiakha added, “The Force Commander also paid condolences to the families of the soldiers who paid the ultimate price of being here in Somalia for this worthy cause; and wished a quick recovery to those who suffered injuries. This mission is not in vain, but it is for the good of the people of Somalia.”

African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) Force Commander, Lieutenant Gen. Tigabu Yilma, is received by the commander of the Burundian contingent serving under the AMISOM, upon arrival at Jowhar in HirShabelle State, Somalia.