Saturday May 13, 2023
Mogadishu – Senior military commanders of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), and the Somali National Army (SNA), together with local administration officials in Baraawe on Wednesday held a meeting to discuss security in the southern coastal town.
At the meeting, held at the ATMIS Battle Group 38 headquarters in Baraawe, the Baraawe District Commissioner and Head of the District Security Committee, Dr. Liban Osman Abubakar, appealed to ATMIS and the SNA to bolster security at the Baraawe airport.
“Air transport is the main mode of carting goods in and out of here. We need you to reinforce security at the airport to protect us from the enemies of progress and development,” said Dr. Liban.
He thanked ATMIS for their tireless effort to maintain security in the district and pledged his commitment to supporting the ongoing peacebuilding efforts so Baraawe can improve on socio-economic development.
The Commander of ATMIS Uganda forces in Baraawe, Col. Christopher Berochan, reassured the local community of ATMIS’ commitment to providing security.
“We are committed to working closely with SNA to deny Al-Shabaab elements freedom of action against civilians and vital installations,” Col. Berochan emphasised.
He was grateful for the continued collaboration between ATMIS, Somali Security Forces the District authorities and the local community which had contributed to major security gains in the town, allowing the residents to go about their daily socio-economic activities.
Other officials present included the SNA, Baraawe Sub-Sector Commander, Col. Abdulrahim Elim; the Area Police Commander, Inspector Abdul Khadir; the Baraawe Military Police Commander, Capt. Bashir Sheikh Ali; and the ATMIS 41 Batallion Commander, Lt. Col. Hannington Kigula.