MOGADISHU – As Sierra Leone marked 62 years of independence, the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), has commended the country for its continued contributions to the ongoing peace efforts in Somalia and the continent. Sierra Leone attained independence from Britain on 27 April 1961.
Representing the SRCC and Head of ATMIS, the acting Force Commander for ATMIS, Maj. Gen. Marius Ngendabanka, on Thursday at an event to celebrate the day, said ATMIS traced Sierra Leone’s contribution to peace and security efforts in Somalia, to the years of AMISOM, the precursor to ATMIS, where it contributed both soldiers and police officers.
“Sierra Leone peacekeepers made tremendous contributions to AMISOM and under ATMIS, they have continued to show support to Africa peace and freedom initiatives, which could serve as a blueprint for other African countries,” Maj. Gen. Ngendabanka noted.
The ATMIS Police Commissioner, CP Hillary Sao Kanu, who is from Sierra Leone, urged her countrymen to strive towards national unity, noting the rich culture and resilient people, who over the years had overcome numerous challenges to put the country on the path to prosperity.
She was grateful for the mutual and cordial relations between Sierra Leone and the African Union.
“I salute all the Sierra Leoneans (civilian, military and police) in ATMIS, the UN Missions, and other civilians here in Somalia. I appreciate your hard work and dedication to the peace process in Somalia,” said CP Kanu.
The Director of the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), Amadu Kamara, who is from Sierra Leone, noted that the attainment of independence, did not only mark the end of colonialism but also represented the beginning of a new era of self-determination and sovereignty for Sierra Leone. He urged all Sierra Leoneans to strive for a peaceful and inclusive country, where everyone will thrive.
“As we reflect on the progress we have made since independence, let us also renew our commitment to building a better Sierra Leone for ourselves and for future generations,” said Mr. Kamara.
Also present at the event was the ATMIS Deputy Force Commander in charge of Support and Logistics, Maj. Gen. Peter Kimani Muteti, senior ATMIS military officials, and Sierra Leone nationals serving in both ATMIS and the UN.
Sierra Leone is a Police Contributing Country (PCCs) to ATMIS. It contributes military Staff Officers, a contingent of a Formed Police Unit and Individual Police Officers.