Beletweyne, 7 June 2024 – Djibouti troops serving with the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) celebrated the 47th anniversary of the Djibouti Armed Forces Day with a colourful event in Beletweyne on Thursday.
The Armed Forces Day commemorates the founding of the Djiboutian military on 6 June, 1977.
The celebration included parades and displays by ATMIS Djibouti and Ethiopia National Defence Forces troops alongside ATMIS Ghana Formed Police Unit (FPU) and Somali Police Force (SPF) personnel. A wreath laying ceremony honoured soldiers who died in service.
ATMIS Sector Four Commander Colonel Said Waberi Harour presided over the event attended by senior officials including Deputy Sector Commander, Col Shumet Telelew Endeshaw; Djibouti Armed Forces Battalion Commander, Col. Mohamed Hassan Abdallah; Hiiran region Deputy Governor, Hassan Ibrahim Abdulle; Beletweyne District Commissioner, Omar Osman Alasow and other senior UN and ATMIS officials.
“On this momentous occasion, we reflect on our armed forces’ commitment to the quest for peace. For over a decade, our armed forces have been a pillar of stability in Somalia, demonstrating our support to our Somali brothers and sisters, and promoting regional peace and security,” said Col Waberi.
Col. Waberi emphasized their readiness for the smooth transition process and participation in the follow-on mission.
“In accordance with UN Security Council Resolutions 2628 (2022) and 2670 (2022), and line with Somalia’s Transition Plan, the Djibouti contingent will draw down its troops like other troop-contributing countries. The third phase of the drawdown will be in June and the final phase in December 2024, culminating in the full transfer of security responsibilities to Somali security forces,” he explained.
Omar Osman Alasow, the Beletweyne District Commissioner, commended the troops for their pivotal role in restoring peace and security in the region and fostering cordial relations with the local community.
“Since their deployment to Beletweyne, Djibouti troops have played a key role in our country’s path to peace and stability. They stood with us when were hit by floods and we are forever grateful to them,” said the district commissioner.
Since 2012, Djibouti Armed Forces have successfully deployed 11 battalions to Somalia, totalling 11,000 military personnel.
Djibouti is among the five ATMIS Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs). Other TCCs include Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda.
