AMISOM visits newly recovered Bariire on assessment mission
A delegation from the African Union Mission in Somalia
(AMISOM) on Thursday visited Bariire in Lower Shabelle region in South West State
of Somalia, to conduct a rapid needs and security assessment of the situation on the
ground following the recovery of the town from Al-Shabaab.
Bariire was recently recovered from the terrorist group Al-Shabaab militants in a
joint operation by the Somali National Army (SNA), with the support of AMISOM
forces. More than a month after its capture, Barire is largely deserted town, though
communities are beginning to return.
During the visit to the agricultural rich area, the AMISOM delegation interfaced with
the local AMISOM and SNA military commanders to have first-hand information on
the prevailing security situation. During a guided tour of the town, the delegation
guarded by SNA and AMISOM troops met and interacted with a few members of the
population who had just recently returned.
The delegation was led by Abdul Diabagate Head of AMISOM’s Humanitarian Liaison
Unit comprised of Kareem Adebayo, Head of the Protection, Human Rights and
Gender Cell; Dr Walters Samah, Head of Joint Mission Analysis Cell; Chief Engineer
Andrew Alele; Civil Affairs Officer Christopher Ogwang; Police Deputy Operations
Coordinator Saiga Ibrahim and CIMIC Officer Maj. Fred Malegano.
“In order for the local community to overcome their fear of the militants, there is a
need to guarantee their security. We have to ensure that Al-Shabaab militants are
not going to come and terrorize the people,” Diagabate said. The local community,
Diagabate noted, is beginning to regain confidence and return to the area, to resume
their daily lives, owing to the presence of AMISOM and SNA forces. Security is
improving with the SNA and AMISOM forces working together to restore security
and normalcy in the area.
The AMISOM delegation noted that transport movement in the district is a
nightmare. Facing military defeat, fleeing Al-Shabaab militants blew up an important
bridge, virtually cutting off a section of Bariire district. Diagabate said there was an
urgent need to rebuild the bridge.
In Barire, the SNA and AMISOM troops live in one camp, from where they plan and
conduct joint operations. “The situation is gradually improving due to the
consolidation process that we have been consistently doing. We sit on a daily basis
with the commander of the SNA to plan and send out patrols to exploit places
further from our base and this has improved the security situation in the area,” Lt.
Col. Patrick Opira, the Commander of Ugandan AMISOM forces in Bariire stated,
noting that the population is now gaining confidence and gradually returning to their
homes and farms in the area.
The Commander of the SNA in Bariire, Capt. Abdi Ali Rage said that both SNA and
AMISOM are motivated to do more to ease the suffering of the local population.
“They (local population) will come back if we construct this bridge and liberate the
villages and districts near Bariire where the people are suffering under the hands of
the enemy,” Capt. Abdi explained. Prior to the capture of the town, most of the local
population fled their homes and are now camped in KM 50 and other neighboring
areas.