Jowhar – The Acting Force Commander of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), Maj. Gen. Marius Ngendabanka on Wednesday concluded a one-day visit to Jowhar to assess the Mission’s military readiness in Hirshabelle State.
Maj. Gen. Ngendabanka who is also the Deputy Force Commander in charge of Operations and Plans, was accompanied by the Deputy Force Commander in charge of Support and Logistics, Maj. Gen. Peter Kimani Muteti, and Chief of Staff, Brig. Gen. Tegegh Kindu.
“The message we have for the troops in Sector 5 is to do their level best to implement the ATMIS mandate,” said the Maj. Gen. Ngendabanka.
“We urge them to collaborate, share information with the Somali Security Forces in their area of responsibility and also protect the population as required by the ATMIS mandate,” added Maj. Gen. Ngendabanka.
Jowhar is the headquarters of ATMIS Sector 5, overseen by the Burundi contingent. It was Maj. Gen. Ngendabanka’s first visit to the area since assuming office early February.
The delegation was received by Brig. Gen. Jean Claude Niyiburana, the ATMIS Burundi contingent commander who reiterated the troops commitment to the stabilization process.
Brig. Gen. Niyiburana said the visit by the Acting Force Commander had boosted troop morale in the region.
“They gave us valuable guidance and encouraged us in our daily work reminding us of our mandate and that we must work in accordance with the ATMIS Concept of Operations and the Somalia Transition Plan,” said Brig. Gen. Niyiburana.