Kenyan military chief visits Somalia as AU troops begin pullout

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The Chief of Defense Forces of the Republic of Kenya General Francis Ogolla has visited Somalia for the first time since assuming office in April, a trip which comes ahead of planned sustained attacks against Al-Shabaab militants in Jubaland and Southwest states.

Ogolla, who previously served as Air Force Commander before becoming Vice Chief of the Defence Forces, was directly involved in Somalia's Transition Plan [STP], a strategic exit plan for the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS], an African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia.

According to ATMIS, General Ogolla toured the Kenya Defence Forces [KDF] Forward Operating Base near the Kismayo airport where he was accompanied by Brigadier Luka Kutto, the commander of the Kenyan contingent serving in Sector VI of ATMIS.

Thereafter, ATMIS says, General Ogolla visited Jubaland President Ahmed Islam Mohamed Madobe, who is also a central role in the war against Al-Shabaab militants. Madobe was previously a guerilla fighter with Ras Kamboni Brigade along the Kenyan border with Somalia.

"Kenya’s CDF, Gen. Francis Ogolla, today met with Jubaland State President, President Madobe, at the Presidential Palace in Kismayo. He was accompanied by the ATMIS Kenya Contingent Commander, Brig. Lukas Kutto, and senior officials from KDF HQ," read the statement.

"They discussed the security situation and the just concluded ATMIS troop drawdown. The CDF also visited ATMIS KDF troops at the New Airport FOB located on the outskirts of Kismayo," added ATMIS in a tweet over the latest trip.

KDF is set to participate in the second phase of operations against Al-Shabaab militants within Jubaland and Southwest states, with the contingent also expected to be reduced in line with STP. Already, the KDF soldiers have handed over Gherille Forward Operating Base in Jubaland.

ATMIS is working hard to stabilize Somalia as they also train and equip the Somali National Army who are supposed to take over security responsibilities. It is projected that by December 2024, ATMIS would have cleared from the country after over 17 years of successful war against Al-Shabaab.

GAROWE ONLINE