PRESS RELEASE

Kismayo, 6th April 2013; The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the Commission, His Excellency, Ambassador Mahamat Saleh Annadif accompanied by the Force Commander, Lt General Andrew Gutti, and the Director of the United Nations Support Office for AMISOM (UNSOA), Amadou Camara and the Representative of Kenyan Defense Forces, Major General Francis K. Nthenge visited AMISOM forces in Kismayo, Somalia.

The Special Representative commended AMISOM forces for their role in the liberation of Kismayo and thanked the people and Government of Kenya for their sacrifices.

Ambassador Mahamat Saleh Annadif said that the main purpose of his visit was to assess the logistical challenges and living conditions of the troops in the sector as well as getting first-hand information on the issue of charcoal. The Special Representative said that AMISOM was bound by the United Nations Security Council Resolutions and Somali laws banning the export of charcoal.

The Sector Commander Brig. A. M. Ngere reassured the Special Representative that AMISOM forces have been operating under AMISOM mandate and are not directly or indirectly involved in the charcoal issue. He further reiterated that AMISOM’s KDF contingent upholds and respects all national and international laws.

Ambassador Mahamat Saleh Annadif and the team that accompanied him had an opportunity of touring the city and its seaport where they appreciated the work of AMISOM in securing that key facility.