The Maslah Site is no longer under the responsibility of the Burundian Contingent

On saturday, january 21, 2023, the African Union Transition Mission for Somalia, ATMIS in acronym, officially handed over the Maslah Forward Operating Base to the Federal Government of Somalia, within the premises of the General Staff of the ATMIS strength. The ceremonies were graced by the Minister of State for Defense of Somalia, Mr. Abdinur Daahir Fidow.

In accordance with the Concept of Operations (CONOPS), the National Transition Plan and following the mandate of the ATMIS which advocates the gradual transfer of responsibilities to the Somali security forces, the ATMIS officially handed over the Forward Operating Base of Maslah at the Federal Government of Somalia, a site it had occupied since 2013.

Speaking on behalf of the Burundi contingent, Brigadier General Jean Claude Niyiburana said that the official handover of this site falls within the framework of the implementation of the Concept of Operations and the National Transition Plan of the Federal Government. Somalian that ATMIS has taken as a priority and an objective to be achieved. According to him, its realization required meticulous preparation and a lot of logistical means. He particularly thanked the Somali people for their peaceful cohabitation, the Federal Government of Somalia for their support, cooperation and patience, but also the leadership of ATMIS and all other partners for their invaluable contributions.

On behalf of the Federal Government of Somalia, the Somali Minister of State for Defense said the transfer comes at a time when the Federal Government has intensified military operations against Al-Shabaab in central and southern Somalia. “Huge military gains have been made over the past few months and we are keen to redouble efforts and count on your support to eradicate Al-Shabaab,” Mr. Fidow said, reiterating the Federal Government of Somalia’s commitment to the process of transition.

The Director of the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), Amadu Kamara, commended the stakeholders for successfully achieving the goal despite many challenges. “The successful handover of Maslah, within the restrictive timelines and other constraints, demonstrates the determination of the Somali Government to succeed in generating forces and facilitating new offensive operations,” Mr. Amadu Kamara said.

The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia, Ambassador Mohamed Souef Elamine, who presided over the ceremonies, expressed his satisfaction with the progress that ATMIS is making. “Today is a proud moment for us as the ATMIS Mission. Maslah is the first Forward Operating Base to be handed over by ATMIS since its establishment on april 1, 2022, following the end of AMISOM’s mandate,” he said. Ambassador Souef highlighted the key role Site Maslah has played in securing the capital Mogadishu, and in facilitating the Mission’s military operations. “Geographically, the Maslah site has enabled our troops to secure the main supply route linking Mogadishu and the interior of the country, thus ensuring the safe and secure flow of goods and services, which is important for economic and social development. of the country,” he added.

The official ceremonies saw the participation of Senior Officials of the Somali Federal Government, Envoys and Representatives from the UN and Troop Contributing Countries.