Ambassador Francisco Madeira, the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia hands an African Union flag to Lt. Gen. Tigabu Yilma Wondimhunegn, the new AMISOM Force Commander. This was during an AMISOM Force command handover/takeover ceremony in Mogadishu, Somalia, on 31 January 2018. AMISOM Photo / Ilyas Ahmed
Mogadishu, 31 January 2019 – The African Union Mission in Somalia has a new Force Commander. Lt. Gen. Tigabu Yilma Wondimhunegn from Ethiopia, took up office today, from Lt. Gen. Jim Beesigye Owoyesigire, who has served in that capacity since January 2018.
The handover of instruments of power between the outgoing and incoming Force Commanders was presided over by Francisco Caetano Madeira, the Special Representative of the African Union Commission Chairperson for Somalia (SRCC), who is also the Head of AMISOM.
“There is work to be done,” Ambassador Madeira told Gen. Tigabu during the handover ceremony. “The task ahead is enormous, but I am very confident that you can do it,” he added while commending Gen. Owoyesigire for “sharing all his knowledge” to push forward AMISOM’s mandate. He described the outgoing Force Commander as an “extraordinary officer”.
Gen. Tigabu has 34-years experience in the military and has served the Ethiopia National Defence Forces (ENDF) in several capacities, including as Division, Brigade, Battalion, and Company Commander.
“This Mission is a challenging one, but we are up to the task,” the incoming Force Commander made an assurance while assuming office.
Prior to his appointment, he served as a member of the Defence Council and Head of Defence Logistics Main Department, where he was instrumental in planning, delivery, generation and integration of the Defence Capability, among others. He holds a Masters degree in Business Administration, a degree in Leadership and Military Science and a Diploma in Law.According to Amisom Statement
Mogadishu, 17 February 2019 - The Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) today launched a three-year national strategy to enhance awareness of key FGS policy agendas...
Kenya has denied expelling the Somalia ambassador and recalling its envoy to Mogadishu over a simmering marine territorial dispute.
Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary (PS) Macharia...
Somalia has denied allegations of auctioning off neighboring Kenya’s oil and gas blocks amidst a simmering diplomatic tiff between the two countries.
The denial comes...
Somali ambassador to Kenya Mohamoud Ahmed Nur alias Tarzan arrived at Mogadishu’s Aden Abdulle International Airport early Sunday, media reported.
Mr Nur was expelled by...
Mogadishu, 16 February 2019 – Top military commanders of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) have agreed on key operations and activities to be...
Ethiopia and Djibouti have signed an agreement for the construction of a pipeline agreement, which would help to export Ethiopia’s natural gas.
Ethiopia’s Minister of Mines and Petroleum,...
14 February, 2019, Hargeisa. Over one hundred companies from across Somaliland have attended a two day United Nations (UN) procurement seminar in Hargeisa this...
Horndiplomat-Djibouti President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh receives Somaliland Ministerial-level delegation led by the Defence Minister Isse Ahmed, at the Presidential Palace in Djibouti City.
During the meeting, President Ismail Omer...