AU mission repairs road project to ease movements in Somalia

The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) said Sunday it has embarked on road rehabilitation in southern Somalia to facilitate movement of people and goods in the region.

Dickson Ruto, commander of the AMISOM Kenyan contingent, said the project in Dhobley town in Lower Jubba region is being undertaken as part of the civil-military cooperation between AMISOM and the local administration.

"Once we are through with Dhobley town, we will proceed to other major populations which link with Dhobley," Ruto said in a statement issued in Mogadishu.

Ruto said AU troops also plan to secure main supply routes and other major population centers outside Dhobley.

Al-Shabab terrorists have continued to restrict movement of people and control supply routes to most of the recovered areas, according to local authorities and humanitarian partners.

"Dhobley is one of the key population centers that we are currently securing and we cannot secure the population center if the roads and infrastructure is in bad shape," Ruto said.