Mogadishu, 26 April 2024 – An intense five-day induction course for 32 newly deployed staff officers serving with the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) ended with a call on the officers to serve with dedication and professionalism.
The plea to work to advance attainment of the Mission’s mandate was made in Mogadishu on Friday by the ATMIS Acting Deputy Force Commander in Charge of Support and Logistics, Col. Jean Bosco Sibondavyi, while presiding over the closing ceremony of the training, aimed at acquainting the officers with the Mission’s standard operating procedures (SOPs).
“The SOPs, the code of conduct must be taken seriously during your tour of duty and also take time to appraise yourselves with the Somali culture, religion and language,” said Col. Sibondavyi.
He expressed hope the training had equipped the officers with the necessary expertise to contribute effectively to the Mission’s success.
The mandatory training was designed to ensure officers understood the work environment, expected challenges and mitigation measures.
“This training is very important for every new staff deployed in the Mission, to bring them to speed with the situation on the ground and also help them adjust to the Mission,” said ATMIS Military Training Officer and coordinator of the course, Lt. Col. Samuel Kwesi Alemawor.
The officers were taken through various topics including staff officers discipline, code of conduct and ATMIS SOPs, discipline and prevention of sexual abuse and exploitation, rules of engagement and law of armed conflict.
Others were ATMIS mandate and mission structure, civilian casualty tracking and reporting, Somali culture and religion, ATMIS military operational framework, ICT security and best practices and explosive hazard awareness.
The officers acknowledged the significance of the training in fulfilling their responsibilities.
ATMIS Military Chief of Operations (COO) Col. Michael Katambira, said the training was beneficial in understanding the situation on the ground.
“It has also helped in understanding the culture of the people we will work with. Also, to understand the Mission’s mandate and the dos and don’ts,” said Col. Katambira.
Maj. Vicky Achiro, expressed gratitude for the knowledge gained, emphasizing its importance in executing their duties.
“We have learned a lot of things that will guide us and make it easy for us to execute our assignments.”
