Somalia Army Chief Attends African Conference on Non-Combat Military Operations

GOOBJOOG NEWS | KAMPALA: Somalia’s Army Chief, Brigadier General Ibrahim Mohamed Mahmoud, has joined African military leaders in Kampala for a conference focused on strengthening the continent’s capacity to respond to disasters, emergencies and other operations outside conventional warfare.

The three-day inaugural African Chiefs of Defence Conference on Military Operations Other Than War (MOOTW) brought together military commanders and senior officials from African countries, the African Union, regional organisations and institutions involved in peacekeeping operations.

Discussions focused on the role of armed forces in non-combat operations, including support to communities, peacekeeping, disaster response and emergency relief, while examining ways to improve coordination and cooperation among African militaries.

Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who closed the conference, stressed the importance of stronger coordination among African armed forces in improving the continent’s ability to respond to emergencies, natural disasters and peacekeeping demands.

The conference also provided a platform for African military leaders to exchange experience and discuss mechanisms for joint responses to crises that require military logistical, operational or emergency capabilities without involving conventional combat.

The participation of its Army Chief comes as Somalia continues to work with African partners on security and military cooperation, including through regional and continental security arrangements.

Somalia has relied heavily on cooperation with African countries and regional organisations in its efforts to strengthen national security institutions and develop the capacity of its armed forces. The country’s participation in the Kampala conference places those efforts within a wider discussion on how African militaries can support civilian authorities and respond to crises beyond battlefield operations.

The conference reflects a growing focus among African security institutions on military capabilities that can be deployed during humanitarian emergencies, natural disasters, peacekeeping missions and other crises requiring rapid coordination between national and regional forces.