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How Kenya security forces are readying Somalia for her future

Working under Atmis, KDF is building the foundations of stability

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by BOSCO MARITA

News09 May 2024 - 02:00
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In Summary


  • The Kenyan army took control of major towns and several areas from al Shabaab
  • Now under Atmis, it is investing in health, education and security to aid transition


Aerial view of Dhobley Town, Jubaland, Somalia on April 16, 2024. [PHOTO: BOSCO MARITA]

Sounds of hooting cars, trade in shops, construction work and vehicular and human traffic welcome you to a typical day in Dhobley, a strategic border town in Somalia.

Formerly known as Liboi-Somalia, Dhobley Town is domiciled in the southwestern lower Juba region, about 0.2km from Kenya.

For years, this town was the last stop for Somali refugees fleeing across the border to Kenya.

This was a result of the insurgency by al Shabaab, which wreaked havoc in many parts of Somalia, including Dhobley, forcing many residents to flee their homeland.

But today, the town has morphed into a key trading centre for both Kenyan and Somali businessmen.

As I ambled the streets of Dhobley, the story of a community determined to excel in business unfolded.

“The key to this thriving business is security. Without security, we can't do business,” Moordin Sane, a businessman running an air travel agency in Dhobley, said.

“You can see the buildings and we now have a tarmac road here. We never had this before.”

Abdikadir Adan, a fruit and sweets seller, migrated to Dhobley from Mogadishu after getting wind of a better business environment.

“Dhobley is now a peaceful town. We do business until 11 pm because security is provided. We do not worry at all because business is doing well,” he said.

The key to this thriving business is security. Without security, we can't do business

MODERN BUILDINGS

At the nearby construction site, a group of Kenyans is busy doing masonry in a building under construction.

Residents here say they are responsible for the modern buildings dotting the sky of Dhobley town.

Nicholas Otieno, a Kenyan who is the foreman of the building, says they came to Dhobley Town in September last year.

They have worked closely with locals in their construction works, enabling them to put food on the table and support their families back home.

“Whoever wants to do business should not be afraid to come to Dhobley,” Otieno said.

“We have not faced a serious security threat; otherwise, we would have gone a long time ago. We are happy here and that is why we are here to work.”

With a booming economy and investors streaming in slowly one after the other, Dhobley is now the second-largest town in the region after Kismayo.

The significant peace and booming business environment in Dhobley Town did not come easy.

It is the product of a decade-long battle between the African Transition Mission in Somalia (Atmis), formerly the African Union Mission to Somalia (Amisom) and al Shabaab militants.

For more than a decade now, Kenya Defence Forces troops in Somalia, now under Atmis, have been at the heart of peacekeeping efforts in Lower Juba, Lower Shabelle, Middle Juba and Gedo regions, better known as Sector Two.

ATMIS Sector Two commander Brigadier Seif Rashid Salim says they have achieved significant steps thanks to a joint plan and targeted operations with Somali Security Forces (SSF).

ATMIS Sector Two commander Brigadier Seif Rashid Salim. [PHOTO:BOSCO MARITA]

“We have been able to pacify Jubaland and significantly degrade the capabilities of al Shabaab through both kinetic and non-kinetic means,” Brigadier Rashid said.

“This has yielded significant gains, including but not limited to the liberation of some areas previously under the control of al Shabaab.”

Having taken control of major towns and several areas from the hands of al Shabaab, the Atmis KDF embarked on several initiatives geared towards preparing Somalia for its future.

Key among them is readying the Somali Security Forces for the takeover of its security system.

At Dhobley Police Station, Brigadier Rashid ushers us to a security meeting with top security officers from the region to discuss the state of affairs of the town and beyond.

He says this modus operandi has seen towns such as Dhobley enjoy the current serenity that is attracting investors and business activities.

“What we do periodically is that we hold security meetings to iron out issues that affect the security of the town and beyond,” Brigadier Rashid said.

“Today we are analysing issues that are happening in the town and at the same time putting up new measures to improve security.”

HEALTHY NATION

Apart from supporting Somalia Security Forces on matters concerning security, the Atmis KDF troops play a key role in building a working health sector.

Atmis Sector Two Level Two Hospital in Dhobley is the largest referral hospital in the region.

The facility, though set up to treat injured KDF soldiers, has opened its doors for sick locals, including the Somali Security Forces officers.

When I arrived at the facility minutes past 8am on one of the normal days, tens of women, children and men had lined up to seek medical services.

About three Somali Security Forces officers were also in the waiting bay, patiently waiting to be served.

Patients from the Dhobley District Hospital are referred here for specialised medical care.

Lt Col Gerald Kebaso is the commandant of Atmis Sector Two Level Two Hospital.


, 2024.April 16 Sector Two Level II Hospital on ATMIS Sector Two Commander Brigadier Seif Rashid Salim interacting with medics from Somalia during their mentorship class at ATMIS
ATMIS Sector Two Commander Brigadier Seif Rashid Salim interacting with medics from Somalia during their mentorship class at ATMIS Sector Two Level II Hospital on April 16, 2024.[PHOTO: BOSCO MARITA]

He says apart from offering referral service to local communities, they have rolled out a mentorship programme for local medics to enable them to handle major ailments being referred to their facility.

“Based on cases they referred to us, we came up with a programme of supporting them in various areas where we saw there was a need,” Kebaso said.

He cited laboratory services, bio-medical engineering, anaesthesia and some of the complex cases they cannot handle.

“We came up with a programme to mentor local medics so we can build capacity and transfer knowledge in readiness of handing over this security function to Somalia security forces,” Kebaso added.

The facility has a fully stocked pharmacy and offers both ICU, dental, maternity and general medical services.

A classroom-like area has been set up at the place where training for local medics happens.

A team of about 10 medics were undergoing theoretical work at the time of my visit.

An officer from the Somali National Armed Forces is among the group of 16 undergoing training.

Abdinasir Farah, the class representative, said they have experienced a significant gain in both practical and theoretical areas.

“The day we came here, we had 50 per cent knowledge. But every day, the percentage has been growing," he said.

"We are not getting knowledge to stay here, We look forward to going to the community to serve our people. That is why we are here, and our community is very proud of this initiative.” 

Some of those trained here provide medical services at Dhobley District Hospital, where tens walk in for healthcare services.

Atmis Sector Two Commander Brigadier Salim Seif interacts with patients who have come for treatment at Atmis Sector Two Level II Hospital in Dhobley on April 16

EDUCATION SUPPORT

At Waamo Primary and Secondary School, a set of classes built by Atmis KDF stands tall among the rest.

The primary school encompass classes one to eight, while the secondary part has forms one to four.

With peace and stability taking shape in Dhobley District, Brigadier Rashid says education is key in preparing responsible citizens of Somalia.

Though the school is having teething problems that need interventions, key milestones achieved over the decade, thanks to Atmis KDF, have enabled it to churn out graduates competent for higher levels of education.

learning session at Waamo Primary and Secondary School in Dhobley Town, Jubaland, Somalia on April 17, 2024. [PHOTO: BOSCO MARITA]

Some of the students who graduated from the school are teachers here.

“Atmis KDF built four classes here and donated desks. They have walked with us and whenever we experience difficult moments, they come in handy in helping us," Abdirahaman Farah, the school deputy principal, said.

"For now, we look up to them to repair these old classes and provide us with ICT materials, like printers and desktops.” 

Abdullahi Noor, one of the students, says the contribution of Atmis KDF has given them hope to live their dreams and transform their country for the better.

It is his ambition that one day, he will give back to Kenya for the sacrifice they have made to pacify the Juba region and other parts of Somalia.

“It is my prayer that I will one day be the President of Somalia. If that time comes, I will ensure I build cordial relationships with our Kenyan neighbours because they have been kind to us,” he said.

With Atmis' final drawdown set for December this year, Noor is apprehensive if peace and stability will persist.

“If Atmis go, we will miss them a lot. They have assisted a lot in peace and security and even health. I am uncertain of a brighter future with their exit,” he said.

MENTORING POLICE FORCE

Kenya has also deployed 39 officers from the National Police Service to Somalia. Thirty of them are males, while nine are females.

Among them are the Individual Police Officers (IPOs), who undertake peer-to-peer mentorship with their Somali counterparts.

Senior Superintendent of police Dennis Wekesa is one of the Kenyan officers deployed to Somalia.

Here, he is the Kenya police contingent commander and Atmis senior intelligence officer attached to the office of the police commissioner.

“We do a lot of capacity building, coaching and mentorship," Wekesa said.

"Working with them closely has enabled the Somali Police to handle basic police work, and we are relieved that our contribution to the peace of Somalia is quite significant."

Atmis deputy police commissioner Martin Amoru says they have worked shoulder to shoulder with the Somali Police Force in mentoring its officers and training them on existing and emerging best practices for addressing security issues.

These, he says, have helped the Somali Police Force manage Somalia’s security affairs and challenges themselves.

“The IPOs are attached to various police stations and thus, they mentor according to their specialisation," Amoru said.

"If at your home you have been handling traffic, you will mentor on traffic issues here. If it is criminal matters, you provide leadership and guidance on security issues.” 

The deputy police commissioner said they have deployed the community policing tactic to enable the Somali Police Force to maintain law and order.

Amoru says the Kenyan Police officers have been key in bridging language barriers during training and mentoring sessions of their Somali counterparts.

Deputy ATMIS Police Commissioner Martin Amoru addressing the media at his office in Mogadishu, Somalia April 15, 2024. [PHOTO: BOSCO MARITA]

“Since we discovered that, instead of using language assistants here, we can use Somali police officers from Kenya, we are doing very well in our training and mentorship,” he said.

“We are doing far better. The first time we started using Kenyan translators, the Somali police were like, 'Today, the topic is so different because we have understood better.'”

We need Atmis. We appeal to Atmis to remain here so they can continue with this initiative. We need them to stay here so we can work together to rebuild Somalia

But with Atmis expected to leave in December, is the Somali Security Force ready to safeguard the gains made over the years?

Will their exit see decades of progress washed away by the re-emergence of al Shabaab insurgency in a bolder form?

In line with the transition process, Atmis pulled out 5,000 troops from Somalia and handed over 13 military bases to the Somali Security Forces.

The third phase is scheduled for the end of June, with 4,000 troops expected to pull out of Somalia.

But even as the handover remains on course, Somali has already proposed a post-Atmis security arrangement, a move that cast doubt on its readiness to fully take charge of all its affairs.

Dhobley district commissioner Hassan Abdi said although Somalia has achieved a lot in the past decade, Atmis remains integral in safeguarding its present and future.


“We need Atmis. We appeal to Atmis to remain here so they can continue with this initiative. We need them to stay here so we can work together to rebuild Somalia.”

With funding being a major problem facing the Atmis operation in Somalia, the possibility of it staying longer lies in the hands of the African Union and donors as they will have to dig deeper into their pockets to enable its operations beyond the set timelines.

But even so, Kenya's Ambassador to Somalia Kubai Iringo says Kenya is ready to support Somalia when called upon.

"Kenya is ready for Somalia as a sister country. Whatever other formation would come, Kenya is ready. Our troops are ready.

"My appeal is to the donors; the African Union, European Union, America and other superpowers. Let them come in and assist in funding the new formation that will emerge."

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