{{The Ugandan contingent of the African Union Mission in Somalia – Amisom has overrun Baidoa, the last bastion of Al-shabaab militias in Somalia.}}
The Uganda Peoples Defence Forces – UPDF contingent who are backed by Somali government troops entered the militia base on Tuesday without meeting resistance.
Brigadier Michael Ondoga, the Ugandan Contingent Commander says the capture of Baidoa is significant because it will allow free movement of goods and people to the capital Mogadishu.
Ondoga says the fall of Baidoa also opens up the key supply route for humanitarian organizations to reach to the people who are in need of relief aid.
He says the UPDF and other coalition forces will now operate with ease along the 241km stretch from Mogadishu westwards to Baidoa.
Lt Gen Andrew Gutti, the overall Amisom Force Commander, says the fall of Baidoa reiterates the African Union’s commitment to supporting the Federal Government of Somalia in its efforts to provide security to the population.
Major Henry Obbo, the Spokesperson of the Ugandan Contingent, says the fall of Baidoa is essential for the rapid deployment of ground troops.
He says in the past the UPDF had been linking up with the Burundian contingent in Baidoa only through the air.
This comes just over a month after the UPDF also captured the headquarters of Alshabaab militias at Buur-hakba in late February.
The town is located 64 kilometers southeast of Baidoa and had reportedly been the headquarters of Alshabaab since they were dislodged from the Capital Mogadishu and Kismayu.
Wirestory
Leave a Reply