Thursday February 21, 2019
The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) is reviewing logistical support offered to troops in Forward Operating Bases as recommended by the new Concept of Operations (CONOPS) document approved last year.
The review is aimed at identifying challenges that hinder the adequate and timely supply of fuel, one of the critical products required for the proper functioning of Forward Operating Bases (FOBs).
“The objective (of this meeting) is to look into the challenges our troops are facing in AMISOM’s area of operation, regarding fuel, which is a very important product in mission support,” said AMISOM Engineer, Andrew Alele, at a the end of a two-day fuel conference held in Mogadishu and attended by maintenance officers from the six AMISOM sectors.
Mr. Alele noted that the conference was critical in the implementation of CONOPS, given the importance of fuel in military operations.
The new CONOPS, approved by the Military Operations Coordination Committee (MOCC), will guide AMISOM’s activities and operation during the 2019-2021 period. The MOCC brings together Chiefs of Defence Staff and designated representatives of Troop and Police Contributing Countries, the Federal Government of Somalia, the UN, development partners, and the AU Peace and Security Council.
Maj. Gen. Maurice Gateretse, the Deputy AMISOM Force Commander in charge of Support and Logistics, said the meeting was organized to address gaps in the fuel supply chain which were identified during the sector commanders conference held in Mogadishu last year.
“This fuel conference was basically planned to address gaps that were discovered during the sector commanders conference held in November 2018,” Maj. Gen. Gateretse noted.
Some of the topics discussed at the conference were fleet management, vehicle maintenance, electronic fuel management systems, fuel consumption and concept and investigations among others.
Mr. Alele thanked the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) and other development partners for their support to the AU Mission.