AMISOM, SNA commit to enhancing joint military operations
The AMISOM Force Commander, Lt. Gen. Diomede Ndegeya, the SNA Commander Land Forces, Brig Gen Abas Amin Ali, and AMISOM and SNA sector commanders, on Thursday, agreed as a matter of importance to establish a Joint Operations Coordination Cell.
The signed agreement fulfils a requirement by
the UN Security Council Resolution 2520 (2020) for AMISOM to reconfigure and
enhance its operations. It is also in line with the African Union Peace and
Security Council (AUPSC) communiqué 923rd and the Head of Mission's directive
to the Force Commander to establish mobile and quick reaction forces within
AMISOM's Area of responsibility.
Following the agreement, AMISOM and SNA will
jointly conduct targeted offensive operations against Al-Shabaab and liberate
territories ahead of the transfer of security responsibilities to Somali
security forces.
Lt. Gen. Ndegeya said, "the mission is
taking a new direction as we get to the end stage and prepare the transfer of
security responsibilities to the Somali security forces. The reconfiguration
will enable us to maintain operational effectiveness, conduct offensives, and
respond to threats in our Area of responsibility."
The SRCC and Head of AMISOM, Ambassador
Francisco Madeira noted the reconfiguration of AMISOM was necessary for the
mission to adapt to the AMISOM troop reductions as part of the phased drawdown
recommended by the UN Security Council.
Ambassador Madeira also thanked Somalia's
international partners for their support in establishing a quick reaction force
for the Somali National Army.
"I'm happy that each sector commanders
have committed to look for their Somali counterparts. The Somalis have also committed to looking
for their AMISOM counterparts to coordinate, discuss, and experience the action
together," said Ambassador Madeira.
The signing of the agreement marked the
conclusion of a three-day sector commanders conference where AMISOM and SNA
commanders reviewed progress in conducting operations and planning future
operations in line with the revised Concept of Operations (CONOPs) 2018-2021.
The SNA Commander Land Forces, Brig. Gen. Abas
said it was significant to collaborate with AMISOM.
"We hope that our collaboration continues
and succeeds against the enemy (Al-Shabaab) and liberating the remaining territories," said Brig. Gen. Abas.
The AMISOM Force Commander, Lt. Gen. Ndegeya
pledged AMISOM military component's readiness to support the National Electoral
Security Task Force to safeguard Somalia's upcoming electoral process.
AMISOM, SNA commit to enhancing joint military operations
The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the Somali National Army (SNA) have committed to enhancing coordination on joint military operations to counter the threat posed by Al-Shabaab terrorists.