Somalia Army Chief fired as AU troops morale boosted

MOGADISHU, Somalia, September 3, 2015 (Garowe Online)-Federal Government of Somalia’s Council of Ministers (CoM) fired National Army Commander-in-Chief Gen. Dahir Adan Elmi (Indho Qarshe) as Ugandan Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) has paid morale boosting visit to Janaale base on Thursday, Garowe Online reports.

Indho Qarshe has been replaced with Gen. Mohamed Adan Ahmed who attended prestigious military academies in the United States, Moscow and Egypt.

In the weekly meeting, Somali cabinet also passed the nomination of two army mobilizers in an effort to step up the fight against terror group, Al Shabaab.

Meanwhile in Janaale town, Gen. Wamala whose tour was prompted by Al Shabaab attack on AMISOM base has boosted the morale of African Union soldiers keeping terrorist threats at bay in central and southern Somalia.

“My visit was prompted by what happened here in Janaale, where we are now, where our base was attacked by the Al Shabaab using a vehicle bomb IED to breach the defense and where we incurred some casualties; some of our friends lost their lives,” Ugandan Defense Chief said according to a statement posted on AMISOM website.

He praised the valour and bravery of African Union peacekeepers: “I just want to give assurance to our partners and also to the other soldiers that all is under control and definitely nothing much to worry about”.

Attack on AMISOM base in Janaale, agriculture-rich town in Lower Shabelle region of southern Somalia seems to be spurring rekindled combat missions against Al Shabaab bases.

Earlier this week, Somali militants claimed to have killed 50 Ugandan peacekeepers, boasting statement categorically rejected by the commanding officers with AMISOM. 

GAROWE ONLINE