Kismayo(Mogadishu24)-A delegation led by Kenya’s Minister of Defence, Aden Barre Duale, arrived in Kismayo on Sunday, where they were received by Jubbaland State’s second Vice President, Abdikadir Haji Mohamud, the State’s Minister of Defence General Yussuf Hussein Osman, and other officials from Jubbaland Administration.

The Minister engaged with the leaders to discuss ways to strengthen the security relationship between the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) and Somali Security Forces in combating terrorism. The interaction aimed to enhance coordination and understanding between Kenyan and Somali forces.

“In the first deliberation, I met the Jubbaland State Administration led by Abdikadir Haji Mohamud, the second Vice President, Security Minister and the SNA/JSS Commanders who gave me insight into the security situation in Jubbaland,” Minister Duale said.

The Cabinet Secretary for Defence, Duale, accompanied by Chief of Defence Forces, General Francis Ogolla, visited the troops serving under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).

This visit aimed at boosting the morale of the soldiers and appreciating their vital role in contributing to peace and stability in the Horn of Africa region.

“This morning, in the company of the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Francis Ogolla, I visited the KDF troops serving under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) in Kismayu. The visit was aimed at boosting the morale of the soldiers and appreciating their noble efforts in contributing to peace, security, and stability in the Horn of Africa,” Duale added.

The minister further received briefings from the sector Commander in charge of Sector 6 and the Commanding Officer in charge of 2MIB.

“I was glad to learn of the many gains achieved so far and the projected plans meant to maximize and exploit on the achievements. Despite the challenges faced by our troops deployed in Somalia, they proved to be professional and effective in the mission,” he added.

Together with the Chief of Defence Forces, he assured the troops of unwavering support for the success of the mission and encouraged them to serve effectively while collaborating with other troops contributing countries.

This visit comes at a time when the African Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) is preparing for the finalization of its drawdown by the end of 2024. The discussions during the visit highlighted the commitment to regional security and collaborative efforts to counter terrorism in the Horn of Africa.

Kenya is one of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) troop-contributing countries and has actively engaged in the fight against the Al-Shabaab terrorist organization, which poses a threat not only to Somalia but also to Kenya.