A second batch of AMISOM troops arrived today in Adaado, the capital of the Interim Galmudug Administration.
Receiving the troops at the airport, Galmudug Vice President, Mohamed Hashi, confirmed that they would provide security during ongoing elections for the Lower House which began yesterday.
“These (AMISOM) troops would be working with the Somali national army and the National Security and Intelligence Agency (NISA), in this region. They will provide security during the election in the areas where the elections would be taking place,” the Vice President said.
“This is a contingent from Burundi. We welcome their arrival, we are happy that they are here. We say this is your country, we are your people, Galmudug is part of Somalia,” Hashi said.
The election of parliamentarians to the Lower House will begin once Galmudug finalizes the selection of delegates making up its electoral colleges.
AMISOM Force Commander, Osman Noor Soubagleh, is in Galmudug to access the deployment exercise. The first batch arrived in Adaado on Sunday.
During the function Lieutenant General Soubagleh said AMISOM will provide security during the electoral process to ensure the exercise in held in a peaceful environment.
AMISOM is also deploying individual police officers (IPOs) who will work together with Somali security forces to secure the electoral process.