MOGADISHU, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. military members have delivered 20 vehicles and two storage containers to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) forces to enhance their capabilities to respond to the increased threats in the Horn of Africa nation.
The U.S. Africa Command (Africom) and Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) delivered the equipment to the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF) in Somalia.
"We are assessing the needs of those who are directly fighting against Al-Shabaab. Daily, this mission plays a critical role in enabling our partners to fight violent extremists," U.S. Army Major Leah Mock said in a statement issued in Mogadishu on Wednesday.
Mock said the transfer of assets falls in line with security cooperation goals and Africom's aim to assist regional organizations in strengthening their defense capabilities against security threats posed by violent extremist organizations (VEOs).
Brigadier General Miguel A. Castellanos, deputy commanding general for CJTF-HOA in Somalia and the Mogadishu Coordination Cell (MCC) director said UPDF is a steadfast partner to the United States and to the AMISOM.
"We are pleased to offer them this additional capability to counter Al-Shabaab and other violent extremist groups in Somalia," Castellanos added.
Members of Africom, CJTF-HOA's MCC, and the office of security cooperation (OSC) synchronized efforts with their UPDF counterparts. The OSC representatives in Mogadishu are the liaisons to distribute the necessary assets to AMISOM forces.
"An OSC conducts security force assistance for all troop-contributing countries. The OSC here is a part of the U.S. Embassy standing up in Mogadishu. Its job is to look forward to the equipment and gear needs for the troop-contributing countries and then meet those needs of the AMISOM troops fighting in their sector," Mock said.
AMISOM is comprised of troops drawn from Uganda, Burundi, Djibouti, Kenya and Ethiopia who are deployed in six sectors covering southern and central Somalia.
Ugandan troops are deployed in Sector 1, which comprises the regions of Banadir and Lower Shabelle.
While U.S. militaries' chief approach is as a support function to regional partner nations, members of Africom and CJTF-HOA remain a direct link in mitigating conflict in East Africa.
According to the Ugandan Contingent Commander Brigadier General Kayanja Muhanga, the equipment will greatly strengthen the UPDF's operational capability.
"As a contingent, we have been operating at 40 percent capacity in terms of the necessary equipment. This donation therefore comes in handy and will greatly boost our technical and operational capability," Muhanga said.
