Mogadishu | The outgoing Force Commander of the African Union Transition Mission (ATMIS) in Somalia, Lieutenant General Sam Okiding, on Monday handed over the office.
The former commander of ATMIS is expected back to Uganda to take over as Deputy Chief of Defence Forces.
Lt Gen Okiding handed over office to the acting Force Commander, Major General Marius Ngendabanka, in Mogadishu, Somalia.
The Deputy Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (DSRCC) and Head ATMIS, Ambassador Sivuyile Bam, who presided over the function, called upon Commanders at various levels to join hands to realise peace in Somalia.
“ATMIS is at a critical stage where commanders and staff officers need to join hands to cause peace for the development of Somalia,” said Sivuyile.
He rallied commanders that through cooperation and proper coordination amongst all the commanders and staff, peace is achievable.
Sivuyile thanked Lt Gen Okiding for the job well done and wished him favours in his other assignment back home.
Lt Gen Sam Okiding, quoting Proverbs 4:23, which says: ‘Be careful how you think, your life is shaped by your thoughts’ and Proverbs 3:6, “Remember the Lord in everything you do and he will show you the right way,” said those verses always guide him.
The incoming acting ATMIS Force Commander, Maj Gen Marius Ngendabanka, pledged to cooperate with all commanders to bring peace to Somalia.
Maj Gen Marius said he would perform his duties as guided by the ATMIS mandate and African Union Motto.
Last month, President of the Republic of Uganda and Commander-in-Chief of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces Forces, Yoweri Museveni, appointed Lt Gen Sam Okiding as UPDF Deputy Chief of Defence Forces and seconded Lt Gen Sam Kavuma as the ATMIS Force Commander.