MOGADISHU- A total of 150 police officers of Somalia’s Jubbaland State have on Monday graduated after three months of basic recruit training.
The training was conducted by African Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and was meant to strengthen the Somali Police.
The personnel were part of the fifth batch of recruits to complete training designed to strengthen the Somali Police Force (SPF) and facilitate the transfer of security responsibilities from ATMIS to the Somali National Security Forces.
In her remarks during the pass-out ceremony on Thursday, the Acting Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia, Ms. Fiona Lortan, advised the personnel on the task ahead to protect and serve the community.
“I urge you to take seriously what you have learned over the past three months and remember that policing can be a challenging profession. Also, do not forget to uphold professionalism,” she said.
Ms. Lortan noted that the ATMIS Police component provided administrative support and instructors to conduct the training. Additionally, the training was preceded by the training of the recruitment team and screening the recruits.
The training was supported under the Joint Police Programme and covered a variety of topics that included human rights, gender, policing professional standards, public order management, and crime scene investigation.
A total of 150 police officers in #Somalia's #Jubaland State have graduated after three months of basic recruit training conducted by #ATMIS to strengthen the #Somali Police Force (SPF). More → https://t.co/rlgHV2MC6Q pic.twitter.com/9dVDMpjmGd
— ATMIS (@ATMIS_Somalia) October 3, 2022
The State’s Deputy President Mohamud Sayid has presided the graduation event held in Kismayo.
According to Jubaland Vice President, Mohamud Sayid Adan, the trainees will be deployed to help secure communities within Jubaland State of Somalia. He also thanked ATMIS and other partners for supporting the police training programme.
“As newly recruited police personnel, I urge you to stand for the protection of the community. Policing is a difficult job and you must be patient and alert to the prevailing threats and maintain peace and stability,” said Vice President Mohamud Sayid Adan.
Hamza Abdullahi Hassan, who completed police training, said he was eager to serve and contribute to securing Somalia.
“The training has improved my skills and knowledge, and I am delighted to have graduated today from the Jubaland Police Academy. I am ready to use the skills I have acquired to serve my community,” he said.
The Somali National Army (SNA) Commander in Jubaland, Gen Addow Mohamed Sahal, as well as ATMIS and Jubaland administration officials attended the ceremony.
This comes amid heightened onslaught against Al-qaeda affiliate group- Al-Shabab across the Horn of African Nation.
The group on Monday conducted series of bombings in the central town of Beledweyne which has claimed the lives of 15 people and injured more than 20 people.
On the other hand, U.S military in Africa confirmed the death of Al-Shabab Number two leader Abdullahi Nadir who was killed in an airstrike near Jilib town, the main stronghold of the militants in Southern Somalia.
U.S. forces conduct strike in Somalia targeting al-Shabaab leader
In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike against the al-Shabaab militant network in Somalia on October 1.
Read More: https://t.co/h2rfdYpNSl pic.twitter.com/MX3EqqwNzg
— US AFRICOM (@USAfricaCommand) October 3, 2022
