Kismayo (AX) – On a notable Wednesday, the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) passed the reins of the Kuday Forward Operating Base (FOB) to the Somali Security Forces (SSF) in Jubaland State.
Tucked away in Lower Juba, Kuday FOB has been under the vigilant watch of the ATMIS Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) since 2015. The troops have been pivotal in fortifying Kismayo, acting as a crucial barrier around the bustling port city.
Brig. Rashid Seif, who commands Sector Two of ATMIS, led the ceremonial turnover attended by a constellation of distinguished figures: ATMIS, Somali National Armed Forces (SNAF), and the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS). Attendees included ATMIS Military Chief Engineer, Col. Suleiman Ibrahim; Chief of Joint Support Operations Centre (JSOC), Sekou Trawally; SNAF representative, Maj. Sakariye Mohamed Omar; incoming FOB Commander, Maj. Hud Tohwari; outgoing CMD, Maj. Joseph Kamaret; and UNSOS Transition Planning Cell’s own Santosh Koka.
“This handover symbolizes Somalia’s federal government’s commitment to taking charge of its security, with steadfast backing from ATMIS,” remarked Col. Ibrahim, representing ATMIS Force Headquarters.
Col. Ibrahim applauded the KDF’s sterling efforts in securing Lower Juba, urging the incoming SNAF team to stay on their toes and maintain the high standards set by their forebears.
Brig. Seif heaped praises on ATMIS KDF forces for their unwavering dedication and their significant role in ensuring a peaceful, Somali-driven transition.
“We’ve had long talks, strategizing the journey from Kuday, and today marks the fruition of our labor. The transition plan is rolling,” shared Brig. Seif.
Maj. Omar from SNAF underscored the unity needed among KDF, SSF, and Jubaland Forces to counter Al-Shabaab’s menace in the area.
“Al-Shabaab remains a foe to Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, and beyond. It’s crucial we unite to counteract these adversaries,” voiced Maj. Omar with emphasis.
On behalf of the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), Maj. Tohwari—Kuday FOB’s new commander—inked the handover, alongside signatures from Col. Ibrahim for ATMIS and Koka for UNSOS.
Suleiman Abdule Ali, who helms the Kuday Police Post, highlighted the friendly ties with ATMIS KDF troops, exemplified through civil-military collaboration (CIMIC) projects.
“The KDF’s generosity has blessed us with two new classrooms, a madrassa, a fish waiting area, and a dhow, boosting local welfare,” Ali expressed appreciatively.
To sweeten the handover, UNSOS presented the SSF with an assortment of UN gear, including generators, fridges, and boreholes.
ATMIS has transitioned six FOBs to the SSF—Bariire, Jowhar Town, Ceel Eglow, Abdalla Birolle, Orahsan, and now Kuday—slashing troop numbers by 2,000, all part of the phase three drawdown stamped by both the UN and the African Union.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
