News (AR)

EASF Senior Management Work Visit to ATMIS

Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) Director of the Secretariat, Brig Gen Getachew Shiferaw Fayisa led on 5^th March an EASF Delegation to Mogadishu. The objective is to strengthen the collaboration and the cooperation with the key stakeholders in Somalia.

The Delegation had rich and fruitful exchanges with the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) leadership (Civilian, Police, Military) on its Mandate and support to Somali-led Transition Plan implementation. Political will, Actions on the ground, Force Generation, Partnership have been noted as milestones.

With United Nations Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia (UNSOM), Ms Kiki Gbeho, EASF Director discussed several milestones: the renewed Federal Government of Somalia commitment, prioritization of stabilization and security, capacity building, cooperation with ATMIS and other key partners. EASF intends to play a role in peace, security and stability in Somalia.

The Assistant Secretary-General and Head of United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), Ms Lisa Filipetto, enlightened EASF Management on achievements and challenges related to logistics and support in a context such as Somalia. Special mention to coordination & Joint Planning that allow mandate's implementation.

Senior Management paid on 6^th March a courtesy call to Minister of Defence of the Federal Government of Somalia, Hon Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, and the Head of the Somali National Army Brig Gen Odowaa Yusuf Rage. Discussions focused on key Peace & Security milestones, as well as the political will to successfully implement Somali Transition Plan.

EASF also discussed with Türkiye Ambassador in Mogadishu, H.E. İbrahim Mete Yağli. In addition to condolences and wishes for a speedy recovery, the Director addressed the importance of the partnership in fostering Peace and Security process in Somalia.

The delegation visited on 7^th March ATMIS Sector 1 HQ. Senior Management met with Brig Gen Peter Gaetano Omola, the contingent commander of Uganda People’s Defence Forces serving with the ATMIS. An opportunity to have a realistic overview of operations in the ground and to exchange with the Military and Police deployed in one of the several Forward Operating Base (FOB).