Outgoing AMISOM commander appeals for more international help to stabilize Somalia

[Deeq A.]

An outgoing commander of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) called for more support by the international community to help the stabilization phase in Somalia.

Brig. Gen. Richard Otto, the outgoing Contingent Commander of Ugandan troops in Somalia, who is also the AMISOM Sector 1 Commander, made the comments during a farewell dinner in the Somali capital Mogadishu.

Otto said this support can be achieved by building schools, hospitals and infrastructure and governance structures.

Otto expressed his gratitude for being entrusted to lead his country’s unit and added he left the mission, happy with the achievements, particularly the capacity the Somali National Army has built.

“This is a very positive development and confirms that AMISOM is doing real mentorship,” Otto said.

Otto was replaced by Brig Gen. Don William Nabasa, whom he handed over responsibility to.

Uganda is one of five countries which contribute troops to AMISOM and is in charge of Sector 1 of the mission’s operations in Somalia.

Sector 1 troops secure Banaadir and Lower Shabelle regions and protect the State House, all government ministries, Parliament, Aden Abdule International Airport and the sea port, according to AMISOM.

Aside from its peacekeeping operations, AMISOM supports various socioeconomic initiatives to strengthen the Somali community.

AMISOM was deployed in 2007 to enable the gradual handing over of security responsibilities and reduce the threat posed by Al-Shabaab and other armed opposition groups in the Horn of Africa nation.

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