AMISOM hands over Warsheikh base to Somali Police Force

After exercising control and managing peace and security in the area for five years, the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) on Monday handed over Warsheikh Forward Operating Base to the Somali Security Forces, as dictated by the Somali Transition Plan.

The Somalia Transition Plan is a comprehensive guide to transfer security responsibility to Somali National Security Forces ahead of AMISOM’s anticipated exit in 2021.

Warsheikh Forward Operating Base (FOB), which was a base for the Burundi National Defence Force (BNDF) since 2014, was handed over to HirShabelle Police Commissioner, Hassan Dhiisow Hassan, by AMISOM Deputy Force Commander in charge of Operations and Plans, Maj. Gen. James Nakibus Lakara at a ceremony held in Warsheikh District.

“AMISOM has handed over the Somali National University, Mogadishu Stadium, Jaalle Siyad Military Academy, Via Afmadow in Kismayo and now we are handing over Warsheikh,” Maj. Gen. Lakara said.

Paying tribute to Burundi forces, Maj. Gen. Lakara said that BNDF had sacrificed a lot in Somalia and had worked hard with the local communities to maintain peace in the area. He then urged the Somali Security Forces taking over the base to observe discipline and secure the area.

Situated about 70 kilometres to the north of Mogadishu city, Warsheikh was captured in 2014 during “Operation Indian Ocean” and it has since served as a key route that secures the Mogadishu-Cadale Main Supply Route (MSR) to enable the free movement of goods and people.

This handover is part of the implementation of the Somali Transition Plan that specifies a gradual transfer of security responsibility to the Somali Security Forces and the Somali Federal Government.

Somalia’s Deputy Minister of Internal Security, Abdinasir Seid Musse, described the handover as a testament to the positive trajectory the country is making towards lasting peace and saluted AMISOM for its efforts to bring peace and security to Somalia.

“It’s clear that the Transition Plan is in full swing and we are here to witness that Warsheikh will, from now henceforth, be the responsibility of the Somali Police Force,” Abdinasir, said.

The base will now be under the control of the Somali Police Force who completed AMISOM Police training in Jowhar and it will serve as the operational base to secure over 50 villages around Warsheikh district.

Warsheikh is the third FOB that the Burundian forces have handed over after Somali National University in July 2017 and Jaalle Siyaad Military Academy in March 2019

Burundi Contingent Commander, Gen. Richard Banyankimbona urged the Somali Police Force who has taken over the control of the FOB to remain vigilant in order to secure the FOB and its neighbourhood.

“I would like to congratulate the Somali authorities for their collaboration, especially in the implementation of the transfer process as dictated by the transition plan and our Concept of Operations,” he said.

Hassan Dhiisow Hassan, the HirShabelle Police Chief, who officially received the base from AMISOM to SPF, thanked AMISOM for their years of selfless sacrifice in Somalia.

“From today, we, as the Somali Police Force of HirShabelle, take full security responsibility of Warsheikh, with the support of the 27^th Sector of the Somali National Army,” Mr Dhiisow said.

The event was attended by senior officials from AMISOM and the Federal Government of Somalia among them the HirShabelle Deputy Police Chief, Hassan Kaafi Mohamed Ibrahim, the Governor of Middle Shabelle Region, Ahmed Meyre Makaraan and the Acting District Commissioner of Warsheikh, Hussein Shiidka.