Somalia: Mogadishu Business Community Thanks AMISOM

By Staff Writer

MOGADISHU--The business community in the Somali capial, Mogadishu, Sunday morning presented a total of thirty animals to AMISOM in appreciation of the Mission’s effort in securing the capital from Al Qaeda-linked terrorists.

 The gift, which included 14 cows and 16 camels, was presented during a function at the Somali parliamentary square, presided over by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Hussein Arab Isse.

 Also in attendance were the Chief of Staff of the Somali National Army, Gen. Abdikadir Sheikh Ali Diini, several members of Parliament, and representatives of the Mogadishu business community. AMISOM was represented by the Chief of Civil Military Cooperation, Lt Col Katwekire Kamurali, and other senior officers.

 Delivering a speech on behalf of the AMISOM Force Commander, Col. Kamurali thanked the Somali business community for their appreciation. He said AMISOM would continue to do its best to secure the people of Mogadishu and create an environment for businesses to thrive. He assured the gathering that AMISOM would work towards extending security to the entire country.

 On his part, the Minister of Defence thanked the AMISOM force for the sacrifices they are making to liberate Somalia. He paid tribute to those who have lost their lives in the line of duty and wished quick recovery to all those who have been injured. He assured the people that the Transitional Federal Government would continue to work with AMISOM.

 Since the extremists were forced out of Mogadishu by the Somali Army with the support of AMISOM, economic activity has grown rapidly as the local authorities take advantage of the relative peace to repair roads, clear rubble and reopen markets. The two biggest markets in the city, Bakara and Suuq Baad are busy once more and sport newly refurbished buildings.  Real estate prices along Via Moscow, one of Mogadishu’s major arteries within Waberi and Hamar-jabjab, have doubled following the reopening of the road and municipal authorities have launched a pilot project in Yakshid district to register businesses for the purpose of revenue collection and service provision.