The training, which kicked off in the various AMISOM sectors nearly a month ago, ended on Friday with the completion of the course by the last 15 officers based at the AMISOM Force Headquarters in Mogadishu.

At the closing ceremony, AMISOM Military Chief Training Officer, Lt. Col. Gashaw Desie Buli, noted that the training had covered essential units to enable the officers settle down in their new work environment and quickly get on with the important assignment to help the mission deliver on its mandate of restoring peace and stability in Somalia.

"During the induction training, the officers were appraised on the military operational framework, staff officers’ discipline, code of conduct and AMISOM Standard Operating Procedures, context and culture of the host country, and International Humanitarian Law,” said Lt. Col. Buli.

Other topics covered include rules of engagement, prevention of sexual abuse and exploitation, and human rights in the context of AMISOM operations.

Facilitators of the training included officials from the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), and AMISOM’s military, police, and civilian components.

On his part, the AMISOM Chief Military Personnel and Administrative Officer, Colonel Michael Talieu Brima, said the training would go a long way in helping the officers serve with professionalism, and urged them to embrace continuous in house training while on the mission.

"The knowledge earned here will assist to deliver AMISOM duty diligently and effectively with competency and professionalism as required. In this regard, the course will add value to AMISOM in fulfilling its mandate and achievement of its goals,” said Col. Brima.  

The staff officers said the course was refreshing and will help them discharge their duties satisfactorily.

"Of particular interest to me was the cultural awareness of the host country,” said Lt. Col. Bernard Kwabena Ocran, who will be attached to the AMISOM Force Headquarters in Mogadishu. "As someone coming from West Africa, I needed to know the dos and don’ts, so that if I find myself among the communities, it’s going to assist me in the interaction with the locals.”

For AMISOM Military Gender Officer, Major Beatrice Kabanda, her take-home was AMISOM’s strict stance on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA). 

"As a gender officer, I took interest in a particular segment that was talking about zero tolerance to sexual exploitation and abuse. This will help me out in creating awareness as we undertake our operations,” said Major Kabanda.

 AMISOM Military staff officers are professionals with diverse educational qualifications and military skills, selected by the African Union from different countries across Africa-from both the troop contributing and non-troop contributing countries to AMISOM. 

The induction training was completed by officers from Zambia, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Ghana, Djibouti, and Sierra Leone, among others.

- AMISOM -