The Governor Lower Shabelle region of Somalia, Mr Ibrahim Adan, has commended the joint security forces of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), Somali National Army (SNA) and Somali National Police (SNP) for the cooperation and vigilance that has resulted into the prevailing peace in the region.
He made the remarks during a joint security meeting at Embresso, the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF)/ATMIS Battle Group XXXV Headquarters in Barawe.
Governor Adan underscored the importance of working closely with the local population and urged the forces to keep vigilant.
“Maintain the vigilance in your security forces and also co-operate with the local population as these two have proved to be the main weapon that has neutralized Al-Shabaab militants, that’s why there is relative peace here in Lower Shabelle,” said Mr Ibrahim Aden.
He, however, noted that Al-Shabaab is now degraded in his region and called upon the people to concentrate on economic activities like agriculture and business for development.
He pledged full support to the joint forces in order to maintain the tempo against subversive elements.
The Battle Group XXXV Commander, Col Benard Kashemeza said, he was pleased by the good working relations of the Somali National Army (SNA), Somali National Police and the local population which has yielded good fruits.
He concluded that ATMIS forces are in Somalia on an African Union mandate to advance a Pan-Africanism agenda of ensuring peace in Somalia and Africa at large.
Present in the meeting were, the Deputy Minister of Interior for Lower Shabelle Mr Muhaad, District Commissioner (DC) Barawe, Dr Liiban Osman, DC Afogoye, Mr Abdullahi, DC Marka, Mr Cusman, Women Leader Lower Zhabelle Maryann and SNA Commander Barawe Col Abdulrahman, among others.