STORY: AMISOM, Somali Government discuss

push against Al-Shabaab

DURATION: 2:58
SOURCE: AMISOM PUBLIC INFORMATION
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CREDIT REQUIRED: AMISOM PUBLIC
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LANGUAGE: ENGLISH/ SOMALI/ NATURAL SOUND
DATELINE: 13/MAY/2019, MOGADISHU, SOMALIA

SHOT LIST:

1. Wide shot, officials from the Federal Ministry of Defence arriving at the
Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission
(SRCC) for Somalia, Ambassador Francisco Madeira SRCC’s office
2. Mid shot, Somali Defence Minister Hassan Ali Mohamed shaking hands and
hanging the SRCC upon meeting outside his office
3. Mid shot, SRCC, Ambassador Francisco Madeira greeting other officials from
the Federal Ministry of Defence
4. Mid shot, SRCC, Ambassador Francisco Madeira flanked by Somali Defence
Minister Hassan Ali Mohamed walking into the building
5. Mid shot, Somali Defence Minister Hassan Ali Mohamed being introduced to
Senior AMISOM officials by the SRCC, Ambassador Francisco Madeira
6. Wide shot, officials from the Federal Ministry of Defence and senior AMISOM
officials having a meeting
7. Wide shot, officials from the Federal Ministry of Defence and senior AMISOM
officials having a meeting
8. Mid shot, SRCC, Ambassador Francisco Madeira listening during the meeting
9. Wide shot, officials from the Federal Ministry of Defence and senior AMISOM
officials having a meeting
10. Mid shot, Somali Defence Minister Hassan Ali Mohamed talking during the
meeting
11. Wide shot, officials from the Federal Ministry of Defence and senior AMISOM
officials having a meeting
12. Mid shot, Somali Defence Minister Hassan Ali Mohamed talking during the
meeting
13. SOUNDBITE: (ENGLISH) AMBASSADOR FRANCISCO MADEIRA, SPECIAL
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE AFRICAN UNION
COMMISSION (SRCC) FOR SOMALIA
“Somalia is ready to take on its responsibility, of its security. And it has been
seen in Sabiid, where Somalis are holding that town. It is being seen in
Bariire where SNA is holding Bariire today. And we intend to do the same in
other locations. We are seeing whether we can also hand over some FOBs
 (Forward Operating Bases) to the Somali forces so that our forces can also
be free to do mobility along the Main Supply Routes”.

14. Mid shot, SRCC, Ambassador Francisco Madeira shaking hands with Somali
Defence Minister Hassan Ali Mohamed
15. SOUNDBITE: (SOMALI) HASSAN ALI MOHAMED, SOMALI DEFENCE
MINISTER
“We agreed to expand the operations and open up Main Supply Routes
(MSRs).”

16. Wide shot, officials from the Federal Ministry of Defence posing for a group
photo with senior officials from AMISOM

AMISOM, Somali Government discuss push against Al-Shabaab

MOGADISHU, 14 May 2019 – The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and
the Federal Government of Somalia have agreed to intensify joint operations in the
final push against Al-Shabaab terrorists.

Ambassador Francisco Madeira, the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the

African Union Commission (SRCC) to Somalia, on Monday met with the Somali
Minister of Defence Hassan Ali Mohamed.

The meeting, which was attended by senior officials of AMISOM and the Federal
Ministry of Defence, discussed a wide range of issues including operations to
degrade Al-Shabaab elements.

In particular the officials discussed the ongoing joint operations between AMISOM
soldiers and the Somali National Army (SNA).

Ambassador Madeira also acknowledged the progress being made by the Somalia
Security Forces to take over from AMISOM as agreed in the Somali Transition Plan.

“Somalia is ready to take on its responsibility of national security. Somali forces now
control Sabiid and Bariire. We intend to do the same in other locations,” the
Ambassador said.
Ambassador Madeira added, “We are considering handing over some Forward
Operating Bases (FOBs) to the Somali Security Forces. When we do this, AMISOM
forces will become more mobile to secure the Main Supply Routes.”

He reaffirmed the commitment by AMISOM to implement the Somali Transition Plan

and pave the way for the African Union forces to exit Somalia.

During the meeting, the officials discussed operations in AMISOM area of

responsibility and agreed to keep up the speed of operations. They also shared
lessons learned following the recent successful joint operations to liberate areas in
Lower Shabelle region.

Last month, Somali Security Forces supported by AMISOM troops carried out
operations in the Lower Shabelle region that liberated the towns of Sabiid and
Bariire.

At the end of the closed-door meeting held at the AMISOM Mission Headquarters in
Mogadishu, Minister Hassan said they had also agreed to strengthen information-
sharing with AMISOM.

Minister Hassan said, “We agreed to expand operations and open up Main Supply
Routes.”

The officials also agreed to form a technical working group, led by the Chief of
Defence Forces and the AMISOM Force Commander.
ENDS