Somali Defence Minister, SNAF CDF And AUSSOM Force Commander Visit Liberated Awdheegle

A joint delegation led by the State Minister of Defence of the Federal Government of Somalia, Omar Ali Abdi, the Chief of Defence Forces of the Somali National Armed Forces (SNAF), Maj Gen Odowaa Yusuf Rageh, and the Force Commander of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission, Lt Gen Sam Kavuma on Saturday, October 18, visited AUSSOM troops stationed in Awdheegle, Somalia.

The visit aimed to assess the security situation in the area and identify the immediate needs of both the local population and the deployed forces.

During the visit, Minister Omar Ali Abdi commended the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), SNAF, the AUSSOM Force Commander, and international partners for their joint efforts in liberating Awdheegle from Al-Shabaab control.

“You have done a very important job for the government of Somalia that will live forever. We cannot operate safely, especially in Mogadishu, if it weren’t for the UPDF securing our rear,” Minister Abdi said.

He expressed gratitude to the President of Uganda, H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, for deploying forces that have played a crucial role in the success of Operation Silent Storm, which led to the liberation of the towns of Sabiid-Anole, Bariire, and Awdheegle.

The Minister urged the Somali National Armed Forces to take greater responsibility for defending their country, noting that AUSSOM, UPDF, and other partners will eventually withdraw, leaving Somali forces fully in charge of their nation’s security.

Maj Gen Odowaa Yusuf Rageh, the SNAF Chief of Defence Forces, reminded the joint troops that Al-Shabaab remains a persistent threat and called for continued vigilance and alertness. He thanked the UPDF and other AUSSOM partners for their sacrifices in degrading the enemy’s capacity.

“With all the sacrifices the UPDF and partners have made in Somalia, I promise we will always be friends,” Maj Gen Odowaa said.

The AUSSOM Force Commander, Lt Gen Sam Kavuma, who accompanied the delegation, expressed optimism that the recently liberated towns would not fall back into the hands of terrorists, citing the resilience and determination of the troops.

“I want to thank His Excellency, the President of Uganda, the CDF of UPDF, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, and the entire UPDF leadership for accepting our proposal that led to the success of Operation Silent Storm,” Lt Gen Kavuma said.

He praised the frontline troops for their courage and commitment, acknowledging their role in achieving recent victories. “It’s you, the soldiers, who face direct fire from the enemy and it’s you who neutralise the threat. Without your sacrifice, this success would not be possible.”

The delegation presided over a community outreach activity in Awdheegle, which included the opening of a medical camp and the distribution of food items to affected and displaced residents.

The successful recapture of Awdheegle marked the liberation of all towns that had fallen into Al-Shabaab’s hands in the Lower Shabelle region, achieving a remarkable series of victories against the militants within three months.

The visiting delegation was accompanied by Sector One Commander Brig Gen Joseph Musoke Ssemwanga, Brig Gen Jackson Kayanja, among other senior officers.