AMISOM troops to handover military academy to Somali National Army
According to a statement issued by the African Union on Wednesday, the base was a key Forward Operating Base for the Burundians during 2011 battle to push Al-Shabaab out of Mogagishu. AFP PHOTO
What you need to know:
- The Burundi troops who have been occupying the academy have since relocated to Jowhar, the administrative capital of Somalia’s youngest state, HirShabelle.
- Ambassador Madeira also said that a number of assets put up by AMISOM for use by the Burundi contingent will also be donated to the federal government.
KAMPALA. The African Union troops in Somalia will handover one of the oldest military academies they were using as a base to fight Al-Shabaab.
Jaalle Siyaad Military Academy will be given back to the Somali National Army at the end of this month.
According to a statement issued by the African Union on Wednesday, the base was a key Forward Operating Base for the Burundians during 2011 battle to push Al-Shabaab out of Mogagishu.
The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, Ambassador Francisco Madeira, said the academy was being rehabilitated before the handover.
“We are satisfied with the rehabilitation works and we believe proper arrangements have been made for an effective handover to take place by the end of this month,” Ambassador Madeira, who was accompanied by senior AMISOM and federal government officials, said.
The Burundi troops who have been occupying the academy have since relocated to Jowhar, the administrative capital of Somalia’s youngest state, HirShabelle.
Ambassador Madeira also said that a number of assets put up by AMISOM for use by the Burundi contingent will also be donated to the federal government.
“The prefabricated buildings, the generators, the water points and the water treatment plants, will all be handed over to the federal government to enable it continue improving this facility and return it to its former glory,” the SRCC said.
