Beletweyne, 16 May 2024 – The African Union Special Representative for Somalia, Ambassador Mohamed El-Amine Souef, on Wednesday visited Beletweyne to assess the security situation in Hirshabelle State.
Accompanied by senior ATMIS officials, including the military Chief of Staff, Brig. Kindu Gezu, Ambassador Souef and his delegation met with the Vice President of Hirshabelle State, Yussuf Ahmed Hagar, and other senior state officials.
Ambassador Souef also held a separate meeting with ATMIS Sector Four Commander, Col. Said Waberi, and senior ATMIS military and police personnel. The ATMIS officials provided him with valuable insights and updates on the current security situation in the Hiraan region.
“It was a great opportunity for us to engage with the Vice President, the governor of Hiraan, and local authorities. We encouraged them to prioritise and address issues related to national reconciliation and social cohesion. I assured them that ATMIS remains committed to supporting all such efforts to the best of our ability, as we work together to promote peace, security, and stability in this region,” said Ambassador Souef after the meeting with the Vice President.
The delegation also toured the ATMIS Level II hospital in Beletweyne. Ambassador Souef praised the ATMIS Djibouti and Ethiopia forces for their invaluable contributions and unwavering dedication to the fight against terrorism. He commended the close collaboration between ATMIS forces and the local population, highlighting the various Civil-Military-Cooperation (CIMIC) initiatives aimed at improving the lives of the local populace, particularly the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) around the ATMIS Forward Operating Bases (FOBs).
