STORY: AMISOM lauded for role in pacifying Somalia

DURATION: 5:24mins
SOURCE: AMISOM PUBLIC INFORMATION
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LANGUAGE: ENGLISH NATURAL SOUND
DATELINE: 25/MAY/2019, MOGADISHU, SOMALIA

SHOT LIST:

1. Wide shot, dignitaries stand at attention as the African Union anthem plays at a
ceremony to mark Africa Day in Mogadishu
2. Med shot, flags of some African Union member states
3. Close up shot, African Union flag
4. Med shot, dignitaries at the event
5. Wide shot, Burundian contingent performing a traditional dance
6. Wide shot, guests attending the celebrations
7. Wide shot, Burundian contingent performing a traditional dance
8. Med shot, guests at the event
9. Close up shot, Burundian soldiers clapping
10. Wide shot, Hassan Ali Mohamed, Federal Minister of Defence speaking at the
event
11. SOUNDBITE: (English) Hassan Ali Mohamed, Federal Minister of Defence
“The original mission of the OAU (Organisation of African Unity) was to bring
freedom to African countries that were still under colonial rule in the 60’s, defend
their sovereignty, uphold their human rights and restore the dignity of the African
people. One of the purposes for the establishment of the African Union is the
contribution to peacekeeping mission across African countries and their populations.
AMISOM in Somalia is a good example of the benefit of the African Union.”

12. Wide shot, Ambassador Francisco Madeira, Special Representative of the

Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia speaking at the
event
13. Wide shot, AMISOM military and police officers attending the event
14. Med shot, SRCC Ambassador Francisco Madeira speaking
15. Close up shot, AMISOM military and police officers attending the event
16. SOUNDBITE: (English) Ambassador Francisco Madeira, Special Representative
of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia
“You have been educated more than your fathers and forefathers for you to be able
to articulate our cause properly and I am glad that you have understood that and left
your countries and came to Somalia to support our brothers, the Somalis, who were
once the champions of African independence, African freedom. And now that they
are in difficulty, we have all said we are going to support our brothers and sisters in
Somalia.”

17. Med shot, Kenyan and Ugandan ambassadors to Somalia attending the event
18. Wide shot, SRCC Ambassador Francisco Madeira speaking at the event
19. Med shot, Ethiopia’s ambassador to Somalia at the event
20. Wide shot, SRCC Ambassador Francisco Madeira addressing the gathering
21. SOUNDBITE: (English) Ambassador Francisco Madeira, Special Representative
of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia
"Today Somalia is rising. A giant is coming up. Congratulations Somalia and
congratulations to you all (for making it possible)."

22. Close up shot, a military officer at the event

23. Wide shot, military and police officers listening to Raisedon Zenenga, Deputy
Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (DSRSG) for Somalia
24. SOUNDBITE: (English) Raisedon Zenenga, Deputy Special Representative of the
UN Secretary-General (DSRSG) for Somalia
“Their (AMISOM personnel) courage and determination has enabled the government
and the people of Somalia to continue with the challenging and important tasks of
rebuilding their sovereign state, and it has enabled us all to be here to support them.
It is no exaggeration to state that no other peacekeeping force would have made the
sacrifices made by AMISOM here and stayed the course as AMISOM did.”

25. SOUNDBITE: (English) Maj. Gen. Nathan Mugisha, Ugandan Deputy

Ambassador to Somalia
“It is also our prayer that all states endeavour to guarantee their citizens’
fundamental rights so that they do not have to be internally displaced, or to become
refugees and those already in diaspora to be encouraged to return home.”

26. Wide shot, Ethiopian soldiers performing at the event

27. Close up shot, a guest taking photos using her mobile phone
28. Wide shot, dignitaries at the event
29. Close up shot, a drum
30. Wide shot, Uganda People’s Defence Force performing a traditional dance
31. Med shot, SRCC Ambassador Francisco Madeira is joined by other dignitaries in
cutting a cake marking the 56th Africa Day celebrations
32. Close up shot, cake
33. Med shot, AMISOM military commanders clapping
34. Med shot, SRCC Ambassador Francisco Madeira and Hassan Ali Mohamed,
Federal Minister of Defence giving medals to the winning teams in the volleyball
competition
35. Close up shot, Hassan Ali Mohamed, Federal Minister of Defence giving a medal
to a sport participant
36. Wide shot, SRCC Ambassador Francisco Madeira and Hassan Ali Mohamed,
Federal Minister of Defence handing a trophy to the winning team
37. Med shot, sport participants celebrating
38. Close up shot, sport participants celebrating
39. Wide shot, the winning team of the volleyball sport tournament poses for a
group photo with the SRCC Ambassador Francisco Madeira and Hassan Ali
Mohamed, Federal Minister of Defence
40. Wide shot, the winning team celebrating

AMISOM lauded for role in pacifying Somalia

Mogadishu, 26 May 2019 – Somalia yesterday joined the rest of the continent in
marking Africa Day, with a glowing tribute to the African Union (AU) for its
contribution in restoring peace and security in the horn of Africa country.

The celebrations held in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, were attended by senior

officials from the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), United Nations and
Federal Government of Somalia. Ambassadors of diplomatic missions based in
Somalia were also in attendance.

Speaking at the event, Somalia’s Federal Minister of Defence, Hassan Ali Mohamed,
lauded AMISOM for its role in securing Somalia, following the decades-long civil war
that devastated the country and displaced thousands of civilians.

Mr. Mohamed, who was the chief guest, noted that AMISOM’s objectives were in line
with the aspirations of the founding fathers of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU)
- the forerunner of the African Union.

“The original mission of the OAU was to liberate Africa from colonialism, defend the
sovereignty, uphold human rights and restore the dignity of Africans.”
He pointed out that AMISOM was an excellent example of the African Union’s
contribution to continental peace and hailed its personnel for the sacrifices made to
restore peace and stability in Somalia.

Minister Mohamed, who represented Prime Minister, Hassan Ali Khaire, stressed the
need for African nations to address the problem of refugees and internally displaced
persons to help stem the tide of migration of the continent’s youthful population to
Europe.

The event, held under the theme, “Refugees, Returnees, and Internally Displaced
Persons; towards durable solutions to forced displacement in Africa” come at a time
when Africa is grappling with an increasing refugee burden caused by conflict and loss
of livelihoods.

Ambassador Francisco Madeira, the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the

AU Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, in his remarks, emphasised the need for African
unity and empowerment.

The Head of AMISOM also hailed Troop and Police Contributing countries for
embracing the spirit of pan-Africanism by deploying to Somalia to support peace
efforts.

Ambassador Madeira stated; “Somalia, which at one time championed African

independence, and freedom, is presently facing difficulties. You understood our cause
and left your countries to come and support your brothers in Somalia.”

He observed that AMISOM had supported the rebuilding of Somali State institutions,
especially the security sector and also demonstrated the ability to defend the country,
citing the recent liberation of Sabiid and Bariire.

The SRCC emphasised the need for continued support to recovery efforts and total
liberation of the country from the control of Al-Shabaab and other armed groups.

The Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Somalia, Raisedon

Zenenga, paid tribute to the bravery and commitment of AU peacekeepers, adding
that AMISOM had helped create an environment for recovery efforts to take place in
Somalia.

“No force would have sacrificed like AMISOM has done, and stayed the course,” stated
Mr. Zenenga.
Uganda’s Deputy Ambassador to Somalia, Maj. Gen. Nathan Mugisha, who spoke on
behalf of the diplomatic corps, called for collective efforts to end human rights
violations and displacement in Africa.

“It is our prayer that states endeavour to guarantee citizens’ rights, end internal
displacement, address the refugee challenge and encourage the diaspora to return
home,” Ambassador Mugisha stated.

AMISOM personnel marked the day with sports competitions and cultural
performances followed by Iftar.

ENDS