SNA trains soldiers take over areas recaptured by AMISOM and SNA (Photos)

According to SNA, hundreds of Somali soldiers who will replace African Peace-keeping Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) troops in recaptured areas, have completed military course.

Speaking at the pass out ceremony for the soldiers, Abdirisaq Khaliif Elmi Deputy Chief of the Somali National Army said that they are planning to deploy SNA soldiers in AMISOM controlled areas.

“Today marks another milestone in the history of Somalia with the graduation of such gallant men and women who will take over AMISOM controlled areas as you are aware that African Union troops would be leaving Somalia within 2016” he said.

He added “I congratulate you for your great achievement over the period of the training and you must bear in mind that discipline is the bedrock of any military institution. So maintain it,”

The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) is an active, regional peacekeeping mission operated by the African Union with the approval of the United Nations.

The UN Security Council has authorised the extension of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) for an additional 10 months, until 30 May 2016.

The extension follows the Secretary-General’s recommendation that conditions would not be appropriate for a United Nations peacekeeping operation in the country until the end of 2016.