KISMAYO, Somalia – Kenyan troops serving under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) have been awarded medals by the African Union in recognition of their contribution to peace, security and stability in Somalia.
The medal ceremony, held in the southern Somali city of Kismayo, was presided over by AUSSOM Sector Two Commander Brigadier General Edward Banda on behalf of the mission’s Force Commander, Lieutenant General Sam Kavuma. The event was attended by Jubaland Security Minister Yusuf Hussein Osman and the head of the United Nations Transitional Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS), Fernando Tomé.
Addressing the gathering, Banda praised the Kenyan contingent for its professionalism, discipline and commitment during its 14-month deployment, saying its efforts had played a significant role in strengthening security and stability in areas under its responsibility.
The African Union mission has been working alongside Somali security forces to combat armed groups and support state-building efforts as Somalia continues its transition toward assuming greater responsibility for its own security.
Jubaland’s security minister thanked the Kenyan troops for their support to AUSSOM operations and their cooperation with local communities. He also commended their role in training and capacity-building initiatives for Somali security forces.
Tomé described the medals as a fitting recognition of the dedication and sacrifices made by the Kenyan contingent, noting that their work had made a tangible contribution to security in Kismayo and across the wider Jubaland region.
Kenya remains one of the largest troop-contributing countries to the African Union mission in Somalia, with its forces playing a key role in stabilization and counterinsurgency operations in southern Somalia for more than a decade.
