Share this article

UPDF, under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia, formally handed over the Bariire Forward Operating Base to the Somali National Army. This marks the seventh base transferred to the Somali government as part of ATMIS’s troop drawdown.

On Saturday 15th June, 2024, the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF), operating under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), formally handed over the Bariire Forward Operating Base (FOB) to the Somali National Army (SNA). Bariire is the seventh FOB to be transferred to the Federal Government of Somalia, following the previous handovers of Xaaji Cali, Mirtiquo, Cadale, Albao, Gherille, and Al Jazeera 1, as ATMIS initiates the third phase of its troop drawdown.

The transfer ceremony was presided over by Brigadier General Anthony Lukwago Mbuusi, the Sector One Commander of the Ugandan contingent of ATMIS. He handed over the control of Bariire FOB to Major Muhudin Ahmed of the SNA. Uganda controls Sector One, which includes the capital Mogadishu, the Benadir region, and the Lower Shabelle region.

Brig. Gen. Lukwago recounted the history of Bariire, highlighting that it was first liberated by Ugandan forces in 2017. It was subsequently handed over to the SNA but was retaken by Al-Shabab. The UPDF liberated the area once again, and after several such cycles, they re-occupied it in March of the previous year. Despite plans for a short-term occupation, they held the ground until the recent handover to the SNA.

Brig. Gen. Lukwago expressed confidence that the ATMIS forces had adequately mentored and trained the SNA, enabling them to defend the location and the local population. He commended the support from the UN, the local community, and the Somali forces, emphasizing the importance of cooperation with the civilian population to prevent Al-Shabab from regaining control.

He assured that ATMIS forces remain nearby and ready to provide support if needed. During their tenure at Bariire FOB, they secured the towns of Janalle, Aw Dhigle, and Bariire. However, with ATMIS undergoing a phased drawdown, it is now crucial for the SNA to assume full responsibility for their security.

In this third phase of the drawdown, ATMIS is reducing its troop presence by 2,000 personnel in June 2024, from a total strength of over 15,000 troops. Uganda will withdraw 400 troops as part of this phase, including those stationed at Bariire FOB.

Colonel Suleiman Ibrahim, representing the ATMIS Deputy Force Commander for Support and Logistics, supervised the handover proceedings. Major Bruhan Nsamba, the outgoing commander of the AMISOM FOB, and Captain Abdisalam Jama, the incoming SNA FOB commander, also attended, ensuring seamless continuity and coordination.

The event was attended by senior officials from both ATMIS and the SNA, marking a significant milestone in the transition process, with Somali forces taking full responsibility for their security. This third phase follows the successful completion of the first two phases, which concluded in June 2023 and January 2024, respectively, and saw the reduction of AMISOM’s troop presence by 5,000 personnel and the handover of 27 FOBs.