Djibouti troops serving with the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) celebrated their country’s 47th Independence Day in a colourful ceremony on Thursday in Beletweyne, the Hiiran region. 

On June 27 every year, Djibouti celebrates its independence from French colonial rule, which was achieved in 1977. 

In his address, the ATMIS Sector Four Commander, Col. Said Waberi Harour, commended the Djibouti National Defence Forces (DNDF) for their dedication and contributions to the country’s freedom. 

“We remember those who sacrificed their lives to defend our freedom and protect our land. Their sacrifices inspire us to soar higher and adhere to the values that make our nation great,” he said. 

He acknowledged the troops’ commitment to safeguarding the country’s sovereignty and their exceptional professional service in peacekeeping missions. 

“Let’s not forget that our contributions today will determine our collective future. We are proud of the work accomplished so far, and we remain committed to ensuring security, stability and peace in our brotherly nation, Somalia,” observed Col. Waberi. 

The Governor of Hiiran region, Musa Salat Wehliye, affirmed the readiness of the Somali National Army (SNA) to take over the region’s security responsibilities when Djibouti troops hand over Forward Operating Bases in the region, as part of the ongoing phase three drawdown. 

“On behalf of the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and Hirshabelle State, I assure you that there will be no security vacuum and our Somali National Army troops are ready to assume the security responsibilities when several Forward Operation Bases (FOBs) in Hiiran region are formally handed over,” noted Governor Wehliye. 

Deployed in Somalia as part of the African Union forces, Djibouti troops operate in ATMIS Sector Four Area of Responsibility (AoR) together with Ethiopian forces. Djibouti troops play a significant role in degrading Al Shabaab and restoring peace and stability in the Hiraan and Galgaduud regions. 

Present at the event were senior officials from the UN, ATMIS, the Hiiran regional administration and representatives from the local community. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).

Springbok Women’s Sevens Head Coach, Renfred Dazel, expressed satisfaction at the end of their two-week Olympic Games camp in Potchefstroom and said all planned objectives had been met at the conclusion of the exercise on Saturday.

Dazel also finalised the fourteen-player roster for their first ever appearance at the Olympics, where their Rugby Sevens participation will start the day after the opening ceremony.

Team South Africa will play defending champions Australia in their opening game on 27 July and will also take on Great Britain and Ireland in Pool B of the competition.

“I am very happy with what we got out of the two-week camp with the only unfortunate part having to tell some players that they were not in the final group. That is always a tough conversation, but in the end I am happy with the squad selected,” Dazel said.

The camp also gave the coaching staff time to further integrate the likes of Sizophila Solontsi, Veroeshka Grain, Byrhandre Dolf, who recently played in the XVs code as well as Libbie Janse van Rensburg, who only returned to action last month in the final HSBC SVNS event in Madrid, following a lengthy injury recovery.

Dazel named 12 players in the official squad and two extras that will travel with the team to France as standby reserves.

Regular co-captains, Mathrin Simmers and Zintle Mpupha are both included as Dazel stuck to the group used during the 2024 SVNS Series. There is a return for Marlize de Bruin also, who missed the last three tournaments of the regular season.

Kemitsetso Baloyi, Nadine Roos, Ayanda Malinga, Liske Lategan and Maria Tshiremba are other regulars that got the nod.

Dazel praised the attitude of the squad during two tough weeks.

“We wanted to train at altitude, on firm surfaces and in good weather. We got all of that in Potchefstroom, with their Sports Village and High-Performance facilities answering all our needs. It was a tough two weeks and I can only congratulate the squad on the way they responded to the challenges we presented to them.”

The team will now enjoy a short break before they assemble in Cape Town on 7 July. They will depart to Montpellier in France on 12 July. They will spend a week in the south of France training against Australia and Brazil before joining the world showpiece at the Olympic Village in Paris on 20 July.

The Team SA squad for Paris 2024:

1. Mathrin Simmers

2. Zintle Mpupha

3. Sizophila Solontsi

4. Veroeshka Grain

5. Kemisetso Baloyi

6. Nadine Roos

7. Liske Lategan

8. Byrhandre Dolf

9. Ayanda Malinga

10. Libbie Janse van Rensburg

11. Marlize de Bruin

12. Maria Tshiremba

13. Shona-Leah Weston (travelling reserve)

14. Shiniqwa Lamprecht (travelling reserve)

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of South African Rugby.

Note to editors: Audio notes of Renfred Dazel can be downloaded here (https://apo-opa.co/4csVraI).

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HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani received a written message from HE President of the Republic of the Congo (Brazzaville), Denis Sassou Nguesso pertaining to bilateral relations and means of supporting and developing them.

The message was handed to HE Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi during his meeting today with HE Rodrigue Ghislain Guessan, Special Envoy of the President of the Republic of the Congo.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The State of Qatar.

Newly deployed military staff officers serving with the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) have concluded a five-day mandatory induction training to familiarise themselves with the peace-support operations and mandate. 

At the opening ceremony on Monday, the Acting ATMIS Force Commander, Maj. Gen. Marius Ngendabanka, said the training was important to integrating the officers, given their critical roles in supporting the Mission’s military operations. 

“I urge you to embrace the values of professionalism, teamwork, and integrity. Remember, your role is not just about performing tasks, but also upholding the highest discipline standards,” said Maj. Gen. Ngendabanka. 

“ATMIS is a multi-dimensional mission with complex operations in a dynamic environment, and therefore your expertise and judgment will be key to supporting our operations,” he added. 

At the closing ceremony on Friday, ATMIS Deputy Force Commander in Charge of Support and Logistics, Maj. Gen. Peter Kimani Muteti, was optimistic that the training had provided the officers with the requisite knowledge and skills to effectively understand the Mission and their responsibilities in advancing the Mission’s mandate. 

“It is important to ensure that the mandate of ATMIS and the follow-on mission are carried forward with the ultimate goal of ensuring peace and stability in Somalia and the Horn of Africa region,” said Maj. Gen. Muteti. 

“I believe you have the knowledge and the tools on your side and that as you deploy, you are now ready to contribute to the mandate,” he explained. 

The officers acknowledged the importance of the training in effectively discharging their duties. 

“The training provided detailed knowledge, which will go a long way toward helping us work effectively and we are grateful for it,” said Col. Dismas Hakizimana, ATMIS Burundi contingent Deputy Commander, who spoke on behalf of the participants. 

Topics covered in the induction included the ATMIS mandate and structure, Standard Operating Procedures, including the Rules of Engagement, the Law of Armed Conflict and Child Protection, civil-military cooperation, conduct and discipline of staff officers and prevention of sexual abuse and exploitation. 

Participants were also taken through civilian casualty tracking and reporting, Somali culture and religion, information and communication technology (ICT) security and explosive hazard awareness. 

ATMIS military staff officers provide expert advice to the Force Headquarters in their respective fields of specialization, including intelligence, logistics, planning, operations and coordination. 

The mandatory induction training is designed to equip the officers with the necessary skills and knowledge to discharge their duties and acquaint them with the Mission’s standard operating procedures (SOPs). It ensures the officers understand the work environment, expected challenges and mitigation measures. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).