Baidoa – The Head of the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), Assistant Secretary-General Aisa Kirabo Kacyira, on Tuesday stated that the UN body is actively decentralizing its operations in order to provide more effective logistical support to ongoing offensive operations in Somalia.

“We are going to work together as a team to support the decentralization of our services and make it easier especially for those who are serving and protecting us in security-the Somali National Army and the Somali police force, working closely with ATMIS, to be accorded the best services from our side,” said ASG Kacyira.

She made the remarks in Baidoa, the administrative capital of Somalia’s South West State, during a joint working visit with the AU’s Special Representative for Somalia and Head of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), Ambassador Mohamed El-Amine Souef.

The two officials were accompanied by top UNSOS and ATMIS officials and members of a visiting delegation from the African Union Peace Support Operations Division (PSOD) led by Zinurine Alghali.

The visit to Baidoa came after similar visits to Kismayo and Jowhar in Jubaland and Hirshabelle States respectively. It comes as ATMIS is preparing to withdraw an additional 3,000 personnel by the end of September.

UNSOS played a key role in facilitating the success of the first phase of drawdown in June when 2,000 troops were withdrawn and six Forward Operating Bases handed over to the Somali National Army.

“We appreciate the support provided by UNSOS, without them ATMIS would not be here and we would not be able to make any meaningful achievement,” said Amb. Souef in reference to UNSOS logistical and resource mobilization support to ATMIS and the Somali security forces.

To ensure a seamless decentralization of authority and prepositioning of stocks at the Joint Logistics Operations Bases (JLOBs), UNSOS and ATMIS last year aligned modalities to enhance logistics support in Somalia.

This is in line with the UN Security Council Resolution 2628 which underscored the importance of ATMIS and the Somali security forces working jointly with the UN on the delivery of the logistics mandate.

Additionally, in an effort to prepare the Somali security forces for the gradual transfer of security responsibilities and enable joint planning and better coordination, UNSOS also facilitated the establishment of Joint Operations Coordination Centres (JOCCs) in all the six ATMIS sector headquarters.

ASG Kacyira hailed the cordial relations between the UN, ATMIS and the Federal Government of Somalia, which she noted had provided a sound basis for deepening collaboration and jointly addressing key issues.

“We really enjoy the good leadership and engagement with the people and government of Somalia,” Kacyira said adding that, “Even if the UN had all the resources and the African Union had all the desire, if there was no acceptance, no warmth and leadership by the people and government of Somalia, we would not be here.”

On his part, the South West State Minister of Internal Security, Hassan Abdiqadir Mohamed commended the selfless efforts of ATMIS and the UN to restore peace and stability in Somalia.

“Without your collaboration it would be difficult for us to deliver. We have very close collaboration with your teams in Baidoa, both ATMIS and UN,” said the minister, when he welcomed the delegation on arrival at the Baidoa Airport..

UNSOS is mandated to provide logistical support to ATMIS and the Somali security forces working in joint operations with ATMIS.

Currently, the UN body provides logistical support to 13,900 Somali security forces personnel through the United Nations Trust Fund.