Saturday, 18 May 2024 {HMC}  The self-declared state of Somaliland celebrated its 33rd anniversary of independence on Saturday with colorful events held throughout the Somaliland regions.

Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi, opposition leaders, and various officials attended the commemoration of May 18 in Hargeisa, where the main event took place.

“Somaliland is not a region seceding from a country as Africa fears. Everyone acknowledges that we were two countries united. In the 2005 African Union report, it was stated that Somaliland is different from other African issues,” said President Bihi.

Regarding the recent MoU deal between Ethiopia and Somaliland, President Bihi said that the Somali government cannot stop the Red Sea agreement and that it will be implemented soon. He accused Somalia of misleading the world and making the agreement seem dangerous.

“Ethiopia has asked us to provide them with a military base and become the first to recognize Somaliland, and that should not be ignored,” said President Bihi.

The landlocked Ethiopia and Somaliland signed a memorandum of understanding on January 1 to lease 20 km (12 miles) of coastline in Somaliland. Under the deal, the coastal area around the port of Berbera on the Gulf of Aden will be used by Ethiopia for 50 years for military and commercial purposes.

Former President of Somaliland Dahir Riyale Kaahin, who also spoke at the occasion, called on the people of Somaliland for unity and togetherness on the 33rd anniversary of Somaliland.

Despite functioning as a de facto state with its own passports and constitution, Somaliland remains unrecognized by the African Union, the United Nations, and most countries, including the United States.

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Saturday, 18 May 2024 {HMC} – Medical officers from Somali Security Forces (SSF), United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) and the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) have completed a three-day training programme on providing emergency care to battlefield casualties.

The training, organized by the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) and facilitated by instructors from the Nairobi-based Kenya Red Cross Training Institute, aimed to enhance the capacity of SSF and ATMIS medical personnel to provide robust pre-hospital medical support during joint military operations. The three-day training started from 13-16 May 2024.

“This training is important in reducing the risk of losing our brave soldiers due to improper management of injuries sustained on the frontline,” said the Head of ATMIS, Ambassador Mohamed El-Amine Souef during his opening remarks on Monday.

Ambassador Souef further emphasised that the training will not only enhance the quality of emergency treatment for soldiers but also benefit local communities.

“In the event of mass casualty incidents, the local population will also receive improved care from the Somali Security Forces and ATMIS troops. The skills and knowledge gained during this training will enable our medical personnel to provide critical assistance to civilians in need, strengthening the bond between the security forces and the communities they serve,” Ambassador Souef elaborated.

The Head of UNSOS, Assistant Secretary-General, Dr. Aisa Kirabo Kacyira, said the training was an important contribution to ongoing efforts to enhance the skills and capabilities of SSF and ATMIS personnel in order to facilitate a smooth and sustainable transfer of security responsibilities to Somali Security Forces.

“Capacity building is one of the key cornerstones of ensuring a successful security transition from the African Union mission to the Somali Security Forces. By equipping our medical personnel with the necessary skills and knowledge, we are not only supporting the safety and well-being of our troops but also contributing to the broader goal of enabling Somalia to take its rightful position in maintaining peace and stability within its borders, ” said Dr Kacyira.

The 53 participants expressed their gratitude to UNSOS for organizing the training and pledged to share the acquired knowledge with their counterparts.

“In war, there are both civilian and military casualties. We have acquired critical skills that will save lives on the battlefield,” said Chief Adjutant Melchiade Marisasi, an Anaesthesiologist from the ATMIS Burundi Contingent based in Jowhar.

Osman Abdi Osman, a medic from the Somali National Army (SNA) Hospital in Mogadishu, pledged to apply the newly acquired skills to save more military and civilian lives.

“This training is timely and has enhanced our skills. It will leave a lasting impact on our clinical practice and patient care,” said Dr. Capt. Patrick Otim from the ATMIS Level II Hospital in Mogadishu.

Senior UN and ATMIS officials, including the acting Director of UNSOS, Ms Cristina Gavazzo, ATMIS Medical Planning Officer, Dr. Komlan Moreira, and UNSOS Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Papa Alioune Fall, attended the closing ceremony.

The comprehensive course covered essential topics such as Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS), Basic Life Support (BLS), and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), equipping the participants with a wide range of skills to effectively manage medical emergencies in both military and civilian settings.

Saturday 18, May  2024 {HMC} – 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).