Al-Shabaab attack: ATMIS chief visits injured soldiers

Special Representative of the chairperson of the African Union Commission Ambassador Mohamed El-Amine Souef has visited soldiers who were injured in an al-Shabaab attack in Somalia.

Souef, who is also the head of the African Union Transmission Mission (ATMIS), together with Uganda’s acting ambassador to Somalia, Maj. Gen. (Rtd.) Nathan Mugisha and ATMIS Force Commander Lt. Gen. Sam Okiding visited the soldiers recovering at the Level II Hospital.

The injuries followed the recent attack by al-Shabaab militants on the Buulo Mareer Forward Operating Base in Lower Shabelle region, which was manned by Uganda People’s Defence Forces soldiers under ATMIS. Official figures indicate that 54 soldiers died in the attack.

Recovering

“Their conditions are improving and morale is high. We take this opportunity to express both our sympathy and solidarity, and to also condole with the government and people of Uganda for the loss of lives last week,” Souef said on Monday.

The officials were briefed on the recovery status of the soldiers by the Commanding Officer of the Level II Hospital, Lt. Col. Dr Godfrey Ssemakula Ngobya, who said those in need of specialised care have already been airlifted to hospitals outside Somalia. ;

Soldiers firm

Mugisha said the Uganda troops remain firm in their resolve to fulfil the ATMIS mandate despite last week’s attack on their base. ;

“We are containing the situation, reassessing and proceeding as scheduled. The incident will not distract us. We will continue with the Somalia stabilisation processes, supporting the Federal Government, the Somali National Army and the people so that they can have stability, economic development and transformation,” Mugisha said.

Source » msn