The new African Union Transitional Force Commander in Somalia takes office

The new African Union Transitional Force Commander in Somalia takes office

 The new Force Commander of the African Union Transitional Mission in Somalia, Lieutenant General Sam Kavuma from Uganda, has arrived in Mogadishu to assume his duties. Lieutenant General Kavuma takes over from Lieutenant General Sam Okeding, who left the position in April after being appointed Deputy Chief of the Uganda People's Defense Forces.

Upon his arrival on Sunday, Lieutenant General Kavuma was formally welcomed with a guard of honor at the AMISOM Force Headquarters. Then he met with the Head of the African Union Transitional Mission in Somalia, Ambassador Mohamed El-Amin Soueif, and the senior leadership team at the mission’s headquarters.

He received a briefing from senior officers of the African Union Transitional Mission in Somalia led by the Deputy Force Commander in charge of Support and Logistics, Major General Peter Mutiti. During the meeting, he was briefed on the security situation in Somalia and the progress made in implementing the mission’s mandate.

“The Federal Government of Somalia and international partners have worked collaboratively toward the progress we see today,” Lt. Gen. Kavuma said. “The achievements achieved so far are remarkable, and we will continue to support the Federal Government of Somalia to ensure that Al-Shabaab deteriorates, peace spreads, and Somalis are empowered to participate in their country’s development without fear.”

Lieutenant General Kavuma joined the Uganda People's Defense Forces in the early 1980s and held several senior positions before being appointed Force Commander of the African Union Transitional Mission in Somalia.