Burundi has deployed a fresh contingent to AU Mission in Somalia.
The troop arrived in Mogadishu to replace soldiers of the 34th battalion who are rotating after completing one year of duty in Somalia battling the Al-Qaeda affiliated Al-Shabaab.
Soldiers from the 40th battalion from Burundi National Defence Force (BNDF), will serve in AMISOM for a year and will assigned in Burundian sector.
The battalion commander Major Leonidas Nsingirankabo upon arriving at Mogadishu International Airport emphasized that his soldiers were ready for the task ahead in vowed to fight gallantly to help secure and stabilize Somalia.
“My soldiers are ready for the task ahead to fight Al-Shabaab and contribute in stabilizing Somalia. We will engage them by observing all the international rules on war by ensuring our soldiers remain disciplined to win the support of the people of Somalia”, Major Nsingirankabo added.
The Chief of Operations of the Burundi soldiers in Somalia, Col Anicet Barusasiyeko, bid farewell to the soldiers rotating out and welcomed those deployed to take over their responsibilities. He lauded them for their selfless contribution to the mission in stabilizing Somalia.
The 34th battalion was based in Jowhar, Lower Shabelle region. The Burundi National Defence Force is responsible for peacekeeping operations in Sector five under the African Union Mission in Somalia.
