United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM)
For Immediate Release
PRESS STATEMENT 20/2014
Mogadishu, 18 May 2014 – The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia (SRSG), Nicholas Kay, today presided over the formal inauguration of the United Nations Guard Unit, a defensive military entity mandated to protect UN staff and installations in Mogadishu.
The UNGU is made up of 410 troops provided by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF). The Guard Unit, led by a Ugandan Commander, falls under the responsibility of the UN designated official in Somalia, SRSG Kay. The Unit is a static force and will be based at Mogadishu International Airport.
“The deployment of the UN Guard Unit is an important step as we continue to expand our operations in support of the Somali people,” Mr. Kay said at the event. “We are deeply grateful to Uganda for its continued contribution to peace- and state-building in Somalia.
“We also thank our hosts, the Federal Government and people of Somalia, and our partners, the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), for their support for the Guard Unit and for the protection they provide to the UN,” he added.
This Guard Unit, which officially began its duties on 15 May 2014, marks the UPDF’s first ever contribution to a UN field mission.
“The Ugandan Government is committed to supporting our Somali brothers and sisters in their efforts to attain lasting peace,” said Lt. Gen. Charles Angina, Deputy Commander of the UPDF’s Land Forces. “We are proud to join the UN family, and will do our utmost to ensure the UN is able to continue its work in Mogadishu under safe and secure conditions.”
The formation of the UN Guard Unit was approved by the UN Security Council following a recommendation for its deployment by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
Xafiiska Qaramadda Middobay u Qaabilsan Kaalmaynta Soomaalia (UNSOM)
Faafin Degdeg ah
WAR SAXAAFADEED 20/2014
Muqdisho, 18 Maajo 2014 – Ergeyga Gaarka ah ee Xoghayaha Guud ee Qaramada Midoobay u qaabilsan Soomaaliya (SRSG), Nicholas Kay, ayaa maanta guddoomiyey caleema saarkii rasmiga ahaa ee Cutubka Ilaalada Qaramada Midoobay, ciidan u dhisan difaac loona xilsaaray ilaalinta shaqaalaha QM iyo dhismayaashooda Muqdisho.
Cutubka Ilaalada QM wuxuu ka koobanyahay 410 ciidan oo ay bixisay Xoogagga Difaaca Shacaka Uganda (UPDF). Cutubka Ilaalada, oo uu hogaaminayo Taliye Ugandays ah, waxaa mas’uuliyaddooda hoos imaaneysaa mas’uulka QM ugu magacaaban Soomaaliya, SRSG Kay. Cutubku waa awood sugan waxaana saldhig u noqon doona Gegida Caalamiga ah ee Muqdisho.
“Soo daabulidda Cutubka Ilaalada QM waa tallaabo muhiim ah sida aan annaguba usii wadno baahinta howlgalladeena aan ku taageereyno dadka Soomaaliyeed,” Mudane Kay ayaa ka sheegay xafladda. “Waxaan aad ugu mahad celineeynaa Uganda oo sii waddo in ay gacan ka geysato dhismaha-nabadda- iyo dalka Soomaaliya”
“Waxaan sidoo kale u mahad celineynaa inta na marti gelisay, Dowladda Federaalka ah iyo dadka Soomaaliyeed, iyo saaxiibadeenna, Howlgalka Midowga Afrika ee Soomaaliya (AMISOM), oo aan uga mahad celineyno taageerada ay siiyaan Cutubka Ilaalada iyo ilaalada ay siiyaan QM,” ayuu ku daray.
Cutubkan Ilaalada oo si rasmi ah u billaabay howlihiisa 15kii May 2014, waxay ka dhigantahay ka qeyb noqoshadii ugu horreysay abid ay Xoogagga Difaaca Shacabka Uganda ka qayb noqdaan xarumaha howlgallada QM.
“Dowladda Uganda waxaa ka go’an in ay ku taageerto walaaleheena Soomaaliya dadaalka ay ugu jiraan gaarista nabad waatra” ayuu yiri Sarreeye Guud Charles Angina, Taliye Kuxigeenka Ciidanka Dhulka ee ka tirsan Xoogagga Difaaca Shacabka Uganda. “Waa inoo sharaf inaan ku biirno qooyska QM, waxaan sameeyn doonnaa dadaal xoogan si loo xaqiijiyo awood ay QM howsheeda ugusii wadan karto gudaha Muqdisho jawi amaan iyo nabad ah.”
Sameynta Cutubka Ilaalada QM waxaa ansixiyey Golaha Ammaanka ee QM kadib markii Xoghayaha Guud ee QM, Ban Ki-moon uu talo kusoo jeediyey daabuliddooda.
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