Ugandan lieutenant general takes command of AMISOM

May 03, 2012

  • + Comment now
  • Print
  • Reset Decrease Increase

Ugandan Lieutenant General Andrew Gutti took command of AMISOM forces on Wednesday (May 2nd) during a handover ceremony in Mogadishu, the African Union announced in a statement.

"Lieutenant General Gutti will lead AMISOM troops in the on-going battle to bring peace and prosperity to the Somali people," AU Ambassador Rodney Kiwa told African and UN officials in attendance.

"With the support of the international community, AMISOM will continue to work towards the restoration of peace and freedom of movement for Somalia in the near future, which is critical for the progress in the global fight against terrorism and aspirations for regional stability," he said.

Gutti served for more than 26 years in the Ugandan military and will preside over an expanded AMISOM force with troops from Kenya, Uganda, Djibouti, Burundi and Sierra Leone. He takes over from Major General Fred Mugisha, who oversaw the expulsion of al-Shabaab from Mogadishu.

AMISOM currently has 14,400 troops on the ground in Somalia, but is expanding to almost 18,000.

What do you think of this article? (TOTAL VOTES: 4)

Dislike_icon(0)

(Comment Policy) *Denotes Required Field

Latest News

In the Spotlight

Dialogue the only avenue for peace in Kismayo

Members of the Somali National Army and the government-allied Ras Kamboni militia wave the Somali flag from the former control tower of the Kismayo airport in celebration of its capture on October 2, 2012. [AFP Photo/AU-UN IST Photo/Stuart Price]

As relative calm returns to the port city after days of fighting, citizens, traditional elders and government officials are urging rival militias to come to the negotiating table.

Subscribe

Poll

Should the Kenyan constitution be amended to give the new Senate more power?

View results