(01-07-23) KISMAYO – The Chief of Defence Forces of Kenya, Gen. Francis Omondi Ogolla, and the President of Jubaland, Ahmed Mohamed Islam, convened in Kismayo, Jubaland, on Saturday for security discussions.
The dialogue centred on the anti-terrorist strategy, particularly the second phase of an operation to liberate Somalia from extremist factions. The initiative aims to remove the Al-Shabaab militant group from Jubaland and the Southwest states, where the insurgents may have relocated following a previous defeat in Hirshabelle and Galmudug.
Gen. Ogolla and President Ahmed Madobe also explored the sensitive security situation in Gedo, a region of ongoing interest due to its strategic importance. The inclusion of Gedo in these high-level discussions underscores the region’s critical role in the overall security architecture of Somalia and the broader Horn of Africa.
The Kenya Defence Forces have been instrumental in Operation Linda Nchi since 2011. The troops from Kenya were later formally integrated into the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) on February 22, 2012, pursuant to United Nations Security Council Resolution 2036.
Kenyan President, William Ruto, recently indicated a possible extension of the Kenya Defence Force’s deployment in Somalia, potentially exceeding the previously planned drawdown schedule.
