A new Force Commander of the AU Mission in Somalia assumed office on Thursday, following a formal handover ceremony, held at the AMISOM Force Headquarters in Mogadishu.
Lt. General Jim Beesigye Owoyesigire takes over the leadership of the Force from Lt. General Osman Noor Soubagleh, who has been in office since July 2016.
While handing over office, the outgoing Force Commander appealed to the Somali security forces to rally behind his successor.
“I appeal to you our Somali colleagues to extend your support to the new Force Commander, so that together you can effectively fight Al Shabaab. Please accord the new Force Commander the same support that you extended to me,” urged Lt. Gen Soubagleh.
The handover of instruments of power between the outgoing and incoming Force Commanders was presided over by Francisco Caetano Madeira, the Special Representative of the African Union Commission Chairperson for Somalia (SRCC), who is also the Head of AMISOM.
“There is work to be done,” Ambassador Madeira told Gen. Tigabu during the handover ceremony.
“The task ahead is enormous, but I am very confident that you can do it,” he added while commending Gen. Owoyesigire for “sharing all his knowledge” to push forward AMISOM’s mandate.
He described the outgoing Force Commander as an “extraordinary officer”.
Gen. Tigabu has 34-years’ experience in the military and has served the Ethiopia National Defence Forces (ENDF) in several capacities, including as Division, Brigade, Battalion, and Company Commander.
The incoming Force Commander pledged to continue with the work already started, especially with capacity building of the Somali National Army.
With 39-years’ experience in the military, Lt. General Owesigyile brings to the Force vast knowledge in Field Artillery and Air Defence, having served the Ugandan military as Air Force Commander and Division Commander – Field Artillery Division, among other capacities.
“In my career, I have never withdrawn from the battlefield for the last 39 years and I like training; which am going to do with the Somali National Army, operate with them and when times comes, for the transition to handover the power, I will do that,” he said.
Prior to his appointment, he served as a member of the Defence Council and Head of Defence Logistics Main Department, where he was instrumental in planning, delivery, generation and integration of the Defence Capability, among others.
He holds a Masters degree in Business Administration, a degree in Leadership and Military Science and a Diploma in Law.
