Mogadishu – (warsoor) – A total of 105 Somali National Army (SNA) troops today concluded a nine-month-long infantry course on combat skills in built-up areas and landmine clearance. The training was as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the capacity of Somali security forces to take over the security of their country.
The light infantry company course which began in January 2017, was conducted at the General Dhegabadan Training Centre in Mogadishu, by trainers from the European Union Training Mission (EUTM) in Somalia.
“During this course, we experienced some difficulties; but by working together we have been able to successfully complete this course thanks to your commitment, the motivation of the soldiers and the overall outstanding performance of EUTM trainers,” Brigadier General Pietro Addis, the Commander of the EUTM in Somalia said, during the official closing of the course.
“EUTM will continue day after day to prepare new troops to secure Somalia, trained, motivated, capable and an accountable army to ensure the country’s security responsibility,” Brig. Gen. Addis added.
The pass-out ceremony was attended by senior military officers and commanders from the Somali National Army (SNA), the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the European Union Training Mission (EUTM) in Somalia, all of whom are stakeholders in the training.
Commander of the EUTM in Somalia lauded the synergies created by the cooperation of various players that are working toward the creation of the Somali National Army. He hailed international partners that include the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), United Nations and Bancroft Global Development, who worked alongside EUTM to conduct the training of the troops.
General Ahmed Mohamed Jimale, Somalia’s Chief of Defence Forces saluted the various partners for the support to train the local army.
“My word of advice to the SNA soldiers that have completed training and graduated today. I encourage you to please apply the skills you have acquired in order to help SNA and the Federal Government to stabilise our country,” Gen. Jimale remarked.
Colonel Ali Nouhou, the AMISOM Chief Training Officer spoke on behalf of the AMISOM Force Commander Lt. Gen. Osman Noor Soubagleh.
“I take this opportunity to applaud the AMISOM mentoring team from Sector One for a good job. The major part of this training was conducted by the European Training team. I am humbled by the support extended by EUTM towards achieving this milestone,” Col. Nouhou said.
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Source: AMISOM