Newly deployed military officers serving under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) have been tasked to support the implementation of the Concept of Operations (CONOPS), which provides strategic direction and conduct of AMISOM operations to degrade Al-Shabaab.
This was said by Simon Mulongo, the Deputy Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (DSRCC) for Somalia, on Wednesday when he addressed newly deployed staff officers attached to the AMISOM Force Headquarters in Mogadishu, Somalia.
The 15 officers from Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Egypt, and Zambia who completed the five-day mandatory induction training, will serve in the various AMISOM units, some of which include civil-military coordination, training, as well as operations and plans.
The Deputy SRCC told the participants, “Your job is to assist the Force Headquarters to coordinate operations and ensure execution of the objectives of the Concept of Operations,” adding, “Your role is to ensure that your skills and energy contribute to making Force Headquarter successful.”
Earlier, Lt. Gen. Nakibus Lakara, the Deputy Force Commander in charge of operations and plans said the training would enable the officers to support the delivery of the AMISOM mandate.
“This training is about our mandate as AMISOM, and the role that you should play as staff officers is to implement them,” said Gen. Lakara.
Colonel Evans Simukoko, the new AMISOM Chief of the Joint Intelligence Centre said following the training, he was better-informed about AMISOM operations.
“The information we received clearly defined our roles and responsibilities what is expected of us,” said Col. Simukoko.
Topics covered included the AMISOM mandate, the culture of the host country and international humanitarian law (IHL). Others included the rules of engagement, conduct and discipline, prevention of sexual abuse and exploitation and human rights in the context of AMISOM operations.
Another officer, Col. Sebsite Duba, who was recently deployed as AMISOM Chief Training Officer also intimated, “The participants received knowledge and skills necessary for the execution of their duties.”
