ATMIS and EASF joint seminar

The opening ceremony of a Joint Seminar by the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) took place in Mogadishu, Somalia on Monday 6^th March, 2023.

 The three-day seminar is anchored on the theme ‘Peace and Security, the power of cooperation’ with over twenty participants from the host nation, ATMIS, EASF and its partners. In his opening remarks, the EASF Joint Chief of Staff, Maj Gen Dr Osman Abbas Mohamed stated the importance of such seminar as ways and means of promoting regional cooperation and peace initiatives for the betterment and stability of the region.

The representative of Kingdom of Denmark also echoed the momentous event being held in Mogadishu and called on everyone present to participate actively in pushing the peace agenda. "Denmark is pleased to support such vigorous platform of discussions and I urge all participants to engage meaningful in the discussions’’ concluded the Denmark representative.

On his part, the EASF Director reminded the participants about the aim of the ATMIS-EASF Joint Seminar as ways to validate shared baseline procedures, tools and the integrated mission planning process at the mission headquarters level for multinational missions. He also thanked the Kingdom of Denmark for supporting the event and Somalia for hosting the Joint Seminar.

The opening ceremony included remarks by the Deputy Force Commander of ATMIS, Major General Peter Muteti, who reminded the participants the mandate of the AU Transition Mission in Somalia and how they intend to eventually hand over the host country. "ATMIS values the importance of such event and the need to continuously spread the peace message’’ concluded Maj Gen Muteti.

The event was also graced by Guest of Honour, Lt Col Iman Elman, the Head of the Foreign Relations Department from the Somali National Army who expressed her gratitude to EASF for its contribution to peace promotion in the region. Lt Col Iman also highlighted the pivotal role of EASF as a regional mechanism advocating for peace and security in Africa.

The Joint Seminar will include various presentations and discussions on thematic areas such as characteristics of ATMIS integrated mission-planning process, operational successes, opportunities and challenges and exit strategy in 2024 of ATMIS.