African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) officials inspect an assortment of weapons during a handover ceremony in Mogadishu, capital of Somalia, Feb. 27, 2020. (Xinhua/Charles Onyango)
The African Union Mission in Somalia has handed over a large cache of weapons captured during joint operations to the Somali government.They include rocket-propelled grenade launchers and general-purpose machine guns.
MOGADISHU, March 2 (Xinhua) -- The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) said Saturday it has handed over a large cache of weapons captured from al-Shabab terrorists to the Somali government.
Francisco Madeira, head of AMISOM, said the weapons, which included rocket-propelled grenade launchers, general-purpose machine guns and assault rifles, were captured during joint operations by AMISOM and the Somali security forces.
"This shows that we not only have the will, but we are making all efforts to comply with these resolutions," Madeira said in a statement issued in Mogadishu.
The photo shows an assortment of weapons captured from al-Shabab terrorists in Mogadishu, capital of Somalia, Feb. 27, 2020. (Xinhua/Charles Onyango)
"This is just a symbolic handover. We have got stores the Somali authorities will access, see and ship the weapons for safe storage," he added.
Tigabu Yilma Wondimhunegn, AMISOM Force Commander, said AMISOM and Somali security forces were in the process of streamlining the procedure of handing over captured weapons.
"Recently, we have had some arms and ammunition recovered in Sector one especially Lower Shabelle region and Sector two and the process for their hand over is ongoing," Tigabu said.
Francisco Madeira (C), Head of African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), inspects a parade mounted by Ugandan contingent serving under AMISOM during a handover ceremony in Mogadishu, capital of Somalia, Feb. 27, 2020. (Xinhua/Charles Onyango)
Abdisaid Muse Ali, national security advisor to the President of Somalia, hailed the cooperation between AMISOM and Somali security forces, which has enabled success in operations against al-Shabab terrorists.
"Al-Shabab has evolved and the fight today is much more sophisticated through improvised explosive devices, through instilling fear, through raising or broadening their extortion base," Ali added. ■
