Journalists from Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda have been in the Federal Republic of Somalia on a four-day field engagement tour to provide the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) with an opportunity to account for the presence of foreign troops in Somalia.
The moves also enables journalists from Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) to engage and interact with their troops on peacekeeping activities as the transfer of responsibility from AMISOM to Somali National Security Forces begins to take shape.
A team of 13 journalists from Kenya arrived in Mogadishu, Somalia, on May 8, 2018 and were received by Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia Ambassador Fransisco Caetano Madeira and the Kenyan Ambassador to Somalia, Maj Gen (Rtd) Lucas Tumbo.Ambassador Madeira challenged the journalists to display to the public the steps that had been gained in Somalia, and the great role AMISOM held in ensuring a better Horn of Africa.
"As much as journalists love sending out negative messages, please highlight the extensive gains that have been achieved in this country. Show the people how better Somalia has become thanks to AMISOM and particularly KDF soldiers," he said.
Addressing the journalists at his office in Mogadishu, Amb. Tumbo promised the journalists that they would get first-hand experience on what KDF troops serving under AMISOM were doing in Somalia.
He urged the journalists to ensure they shared the story with Kenyans who had supported KDF’s mission in Somalia for close to eleven years now.
Amb. Tumbo thanked the Kenya Government for allowing troops to serve under AMISOM to ensure Somalia attains peace. He also thanked the KDF troops serving under AMISOM for their sacrifice, for leaving their families and going to Somalia to enforce peace.
AMISOM Acting Force Commander Maj Gen. Charles Gituai said the AMISOM transition process was condition based.
He added that AMISOM was now focusing on training and equipping the Somali National Army (SNA) so that SNA could be able to take full responsibilities of specific areas given to them by AMISOM.
AMISOM Force Spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Richard Omwega urged the journalists to encourage the KDF troops by sharing their stories with Kenyans who had allowed their sons, brothers, fathers, sisters and mothers to serve their country, some of whom had paid the ultimate price.
Mogadishu Mayor Abdirahman Omar Osman praised the role AMISOM had played in liberating Somalia and regretted the attacks on AMISOM soldiers.
On May 10, 2018, the journalists visited Dhobley, the Sector II Headquarters.
"KDF troops are in-charge of Sector II which comprises Dhobley, Tabda, Afmadhow, Bilisqocani, Hoosingo, Berhani, Kolbiyow, Burgavo and Ras Kamboni," a statement from KDF said on Saturday.
They were received by Brigadier Joackim Mwamburi, the Commander AMISOM Sector II. Addressing them, Brig. Mwamburi commended the journalists for their bravery and faith in KDF troops serving under AMISOM.
The event culminated in a display football match, which KDF lost 0-1 against Dhobley Football Team. While AMISOM has made gains in Somalia, the risk still presented by Al Shabaab remains vivid due to inadequate funding and troop’s number.
AMISOM has managed to push Al Shabaab away from major cities, and the Federal Government of Somalia has taken steps towards stability in Somalia with foreign help, the Somali Security Forces have grown stronger and political leaders are aiming to hold nationwide elections in 2020.
"Following the United Nation Security Council Resolution, AMISOM has to leave Somalia and hand the country’s security back to the Federal Government of Somalia by 2021," concluded the communication.