Mogadishu 19 November, 2010 –

The new Somali Prime Minister, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, yesterday paid a visit to AMISOM Force Headquarters in Mogadishu and was briefed on the mission’s activities by the Force Commander, Maj. Gen. Nathan Mugisha.

The premier expressed his gratitude for the support that the Transitional Federal Government had received from the AU peacekeeping mission, noting that they were instrumental to the success of the Somali peace process and the rebuilding of the country’s institutions.

He also thanked AMISOM for the humanitarian support the mission continues to give to the residents of the city through the provision of free medical care and potable water.

Gen. Mugisha, on his part, assured the premier of AMISOM’s continuing commitment to helping Somalia rise from the ashes of the last two decades. “A strong, independent and prosperous Somalia is not only good for the Somali people,” he said. “It is also the continent’s best defence against the evils of international terrorism and maritime piracy.”

Accompanied by the Force Commander, Prime Minister Mohamed also toured the Al Jazeera Training Camp where he was shown a model barracks under construction. AMISOM instructors at the camp are training recruits of the Somali national army, from the strategic and tactical command to infantry soldiers. Over 4000 soldiers and officers have so far been trained in the two years the camp has been operating.

The Prime Minister later toured government positions and bases in the city where some of these troops have been deployed and was received warmly at Hoshi and Villa Baidoa.

—
Barigye Ba-Hoku
Major
AMISOM Force Spokesman
Tel: Somalia (+252) 699 758567
Tel: Somalia (+252) 165 800500
Tel: East Africa (+256) 773 285177 or (+256) 752 692070
Email: amisomforcehq@gmail.com