Somalia
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Kenya's new military chief meets Jubbaland President in Kismayo


Sunday July 2, 2023

Kismayo (HOL) - Kenya's Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Francis Omondi Ogolla, met with Jubbaland Regional State President Ahmed Madobe at the Presidential Palace in Kismayo on Saturday.

Accompanied by the ATMIS Kenya Contingent Commander, Brig. Lukas Kutto, senior officials from Kenya Defence Forces Headquarters, Gen. Francis Omondi Ogolla and the President discussed the security situation and the recently concluded ATMIS troop drawdown. The Chief of Defence Forces also visited the ATMIS Kenya Defence Forces at the New Airport FOB located on the outskirts of Kismayo.

On Thursday, the African Union (AU) Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) said that it had completed the first phase of troop withdrawal from Somalia with the handover of military bases in the capital of Mogadishu and the southern region.

This visit marks Gen. Francis Omondi Ogolla's first trip to Somalia since assuming office in April after being appointed by President William Ruto.

However, the visit comes at a time when al Shabab has escalated its attacks in Kenya, resulting in the deaths of nearly 20 security officers in recent weeks.

Kenya closed the crossing points along its border with Somalia more than a decade ago but announced the crossings would reopen after talks with Somali officials last month.

The border points to be reopened include the Lamu, Garissa and Mandera border crossings.