United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) supports the setting up of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) Joint Operations Centres – African Business

The United Nations Support Office in Somalia has supported the creation of Joint Operations Centres (JOCs), as part of its support to the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia. This is to improve operations efficiency in the fight against Al-Shabaab.

The JOCs allow ATMIS personnel, Somali Security Forces personnel, and partners coordinate, plan operations, give updates about Al-Shabaab threats to operations and provide updates.

UNSOS created the JOCs as part the logistical support for ATMIS/SSF. JOCs will allow the successful implementation and training of the gradual strategy to prepare Somalia’s security forces to assume security responsibilities after ATMIS leaves.

The JOCs are located at ATMIS Force Headquarters and six sector headquarters in Baidoa (Beletweyne), Dhobley Jowhar, Jowhar and Mogadishu.

On Saturday, the JOCs were inaugurated at the ATMIS Force Headquarters as well as the six sector offices.

Officials from UNSOS, ATMIS and the Federal Government of Somalia attended the ceremonies.

UNSOS Director Harjit Daindsa stated that the JOCs would support the UN Security Council’s new ATMIS mandate. This mandate requires ATMIS troops to be mobile and able deploy quickly.

“For mobile forces and quick reactions to be really quick, there is a need for information availability at a very short notice. And for the forces to be deployed effectively, it is important that there is a control centre from where they can operate,” he said.

According to Mr. Dhindsa, UNSOS established joint logistics bases and introduced systems to ensure timely delivery of logistics and supplies to ATMIS and SSF troops.

“To implement new ATMIS and SSF Concept of Operations based on mobile forces and quick reaction, information collection, synthesis and analysis is very important. Towards this end UNSOS established Joint Operations Centres (JOC) at Mogadishu and all sector headquarters to assist ATMIS and SSF deliver on their mandates.” said Mr. Dhindsa.

ATMIS Force Commander, Lt. Gen. Diomede Ndegeya, said the JOCs established by UNSOS, support the implementation of the various UN resolutions requiring the Somali security forces to gradually assume full responsibility for the country’s security.

“Consultative meetings have been held between ATMIS and Somali Security Forces to reconfigure ATMIS taking into consideration the operational priorities of Somali Security Forces,” said Lt. Gen. Ndegeya.

He continued, “Accordingly, Joint Operations Centres will be functional in all sectors to coordinate operations and I urge all sector commanders to ensure that they are fully effective in their areas of operation in the regions.”

AbdifatahQassim Mahamud, Somali Deputy Minister for Defence, officiated at the opening of JOCs. He cited the success of recent joint operations between ATMIS security forces and Somali security forces, in Hiraan, and Galgaduud, regions.

“I congratulate ATMIS for implementing the Joint Operations Centres, which will improve coordination between the SSF and ATMIS. The officers embedded and working together will ensure effective operations,” said Minister Abdifatah.

Distributed by APO Group, United Nations Support Office in Somalia.