AMISOM

Hundreds benefit from free AMISOM medical services in the Gedo region African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) forces have provided free medical services to hundreds of people in the Gedo region of Jubaland state as part of their civil-military cooperation (CIMIC) activities. The free medical camp took place last weekend in Gedo's villages of Burahache and Gherrile. Elderly people,…

KDF delivers COVID-19 vaccines to troops in Somalia NAIROBI, Kenya - Major General George Ng'ang'a, Director of Medical Services of the Kenya Defense Forces launched the Covid-19 vaccination exercise for troops deployed during the African Union mission in Somalia in Sector II headquarters in Dhobley. This is part of the ongoing Phase 1 of the national immunization program in the fight against…

The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) handed over control of the Afgoye military base to the Somali National Army (SNA) as part of plans to secure the transfer of security responsibilities to Somali forces. Afgoye city was removed from Al-Shabaab's control in May 2012 in a joint operation by AMISOM and SNA. The city, located along the main supply route to northern, western and southern Somalia, had since been secured by AMISOM's Ugandan troops. The base was handed over on Wednesday by AMISOM Deputy Commander in…

UNITED NATIONS - The UN Security Council on Friday called on the Somali government to hold elections "without delay" in a resolution underlining the urgent threat to the country's security from al-Shabab and armed opposition groups. The resolution, adopted unanimously, authorized the African Union to maintain its nearly 20,000-strong force in Somalia until the end of the year with a mandate to reduce the threat posed by extremist groups to enable "a stable, federal, sovereign and united Somalia. ” The UN's most…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Thousands of soldiers affiliated with the Somali National Army will be administered with the COVID-19 vaccine, Kenya's defense chief has said, just a week after the East African nation received a shipment of the vaccines from Europe. COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc in East Africa, where Kenya has so far registered more than 1,500 deaths. Somalia may have fewer cases, but the fact that health infrastructure is almost dysfunctional may have many people getting or dying from the undetected virus.…

Al-Shabaab is expanding its tax collection bases, claims Somalia's opposition MOGADISHU, Somalia - The Somali government has once again been alerted to allegations that al-Shabaab militants are now controlling large parts of the country in the midst of an ongoing stalemate before the election, which has literally brought many activities to standoff in the country. In a harsh…

Lack of US airstrikes in Somalia rejuvenates Al-Shabaab militants MOGADISHU, Somalia - Senior Somali officials have expressed concern over the lack of US airstrikes in the Horn of Africa, arguing that the movement allows al-Shabaab to expand territories in the country at the expense of civilians fighting insecurity. Ever since President Joe Biden took office on January 20, the…

AU military chief of staff leaves Somalia when Al-Shabaab ups attack MOGADISHU, Somalia - Prior to the expected exit after completion and full implementation of the Somali transition plan , top officers working on the African Union mission in Somalia continue to leave and pave the way for the new leadership as the country pushes for stability. On Monday, the team held a colorful ceremony for Brig. Gen…

BELEDWEYNE, Somalia - Somalia witnessed scenes of violence and chaos as protests against the government continued into the third week with several eyewitness accounts of AU forces opening fire on protesters. Violent clashes have erupted in the streets of Hiran's regional capital, Beledweyne, between Somali forces and protesters calling for the release of dozens arrested during massive security operations. At least three people were injured, including a woman, according to hospital sources. The protesters accused…

Djibouti sends fact-finding team to Somalia-Kenyan border amid tension DJIBOUTI - Djibouti has sent a commission of inquiry to the Kenya-Somalia border to assess the situation following allegations by Mogadishu that the KDF is mobilizing and arming militias to attack the SNA in the Gedo region. Djibouti Foreign Minister Mahmud Ali Yusuf told reporters that the team included diplomats and senior military…