Wednesday , 10 April 2024 {HMC} The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) has honoured the outgoing Force Commander Lt. Gen. Sam Okiding for his exemplary leadership and steering the mission to success during his tenure.

Lt. Gen. Okiding is scheduled to depart the ATMIS mission area to take up a new position as Uganda’s Deputy Chief of Defence Forces.

At a farewell event on Monday held at the ATMIS Force Headquarters in Mogadishu, the AU chairperson’s Deputy Special Representative for Somalia, Sivuyile Bam, commended Lt. Gen. Okiding for his stewardship of the multinational African peace support operation.

“Uganda has gained from our loss. As you return to Kampala, we look forward to working with you wherever you are. And we promise that we will continue with your legacy and do the work that is expected of us,” said Bam in farewell remarks.

Senior ATMIS military officers led by the Deputy Force Commander in charge of Operations and Plans Maj.Gen Marius Ngendabanka and his counterpart in charge of Support and Logistics, Maj. Gen. Peter Muteti attended the event.

The ATMIS Deputy Force Commander in charge of Operations and Plans, Maj. Gen. Marius Ngendabanka praised Lt. Gen. Okiding for leading the ATMIS military component in implementing its mandate even after the troop numbers were reduced, and security responsibilities were transferred to the Somali Security Forces.

“We appreciate how he commanded the military component since his arrival in the mission. We highly appreciate his leadership. He promoted teamwork among Staff Officers at the ATMIS Force Headquarters and across all sectors,” said Maj. Gen.Ngendabanka.

Lt. Gen. Okiding expressed confidence in the ability of the ATMIS military to successfully implement the mission’s mandate during the transition phase. He pledged that ATMIS would continue to benefit from his support when he assumes his new position as Uganda’s Deputy Chief of Defence Forces.

“My voice will now be heard about Somalia operations. We will fight for this operation especially in the area of force enablers where we are still lagging behind. And as we continue to draw down, and the force shrinks, we need alternatives. So, I think I will be in a better position to advocate for our operations,” said Lt. Gen. Okiding.

Lt. Gen. Okiding took the helm of the ATMIS military command in May 2023 and presided over the successful hand over of 13 Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) and transfer of security responsibilities to the Somali Security Forces during the first and second phases of ATMIS drawdown concluded in June and December 2023.

Maj. Gen Ngendabanka has taken over interim responsibilities of the ATMIS military ahead of the arrival of the substantive Force Commander.

Wednesday , 10 April 2024 {HMC}–The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), on Monday donated assorted food items to vulnerable families and Internally Displaced People (IDPs) living in the outskirts of the ATMIS Al-Jazeera II camp in Mogadishu.

The food donation which included rice, wheat flour, sugar, powdered milk, and spaghetti, will support 30 families affected by conflict and the effects of climate change in celebrating Eid-Ul-Fitr, marking the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan.

“It’s in the spirit of solidarity that ATMIS staff –the military, police and civilians made individual monetary contributions to support the most vulnerable people, particularly IDPs displaced from their homes and whose livelihoods have been disrupted during this Ramadan period,” said Maj. Gen. Ngendabanka, acting ATMIS Force Commander, who presided over the event on behalf of the Head of ATMIS, Ambassador Mohamed El-Amine Souef.

Maj. Gen Ngendabaka reaffirmed ATMIS’ unwavering commitment to supporting ongoing efforts by the Federal Government of Somalia to combat Al-Shabaab and ensure peace and stability.

“ATMIS will continue to support the Somalia government to combat Al-Shabaab, restore peace and stability, and provide services so that the Somali people can coexist in harmony and celebrate Eid in a peaceful environment,” he added.

ATMIS Senior Humanitarian Officer, Abdul Diabagate said apart from security provided by ATMIS military and police personnel, the mission also supports communities with relief assistance to help alleviate people’s suffering.

“ATMIS supports local communities by providing relief assistance, providing water, escorts for people to move from one place to another and security escort to humanitarian agencies assisting vulnerable communities living across South-Central Somalia,” said Mr Diabagate.

Khadija Ali, a community representative, thanked ATMIS personnel for their selfless support.

“This is a good gesture which should be emulated, this month of Ramadan calls on us to give to charity, and that is why they remembered us. We want to sincerely thank them for their donations,” said Khadija.