Jazeera Training Centre Enhances Training and Mentoring of Somali National Defence Forces

AMISOM Acting Force Commander Maj. Gen. Mohammedesha Zeyinu recently visited Jazeera Training Centre to get an update on the training programs, successes and challenges facing the institution.

On arrival, Maj Gen Zeyinu was met by the Institution’s leadership led by the Commandant Lt Col Griffins Kantiinti, Chief Instructor, Col Mohamed Hassan Bunai and Maj Ronald Orimba.

In his remarks, Gen Mohamedesha appreciated efforts that have been made to ensure that the Somali National Army (SNA) is enabled to take the security mantle once AMISOM draws down in the near future.

“I am glad to see the efforts that the leadership of this institution has made to make training meaningful to the emergent needs of the Somalia Government. I appreciate that there are challenges to the achievement of the overall objectives of this institution. We shall address the challenges as a team and ensure that those who pass-out of this institution will be of the highest quality,” Gen Mohamedesha said.

He recognized the important position of partners in the training programs, saying it has enabled Somali trainees to be at par with the rest of the world.

“Our partners have continued to assist us in preparing recruits who now have an international outlook to security matters.  They also contribute substantially in making the recruits tactically proficient. For this we are thankful,” the acting Force Commander added.

Currently, there are about 400 recruits training in Basic Military Training, Company Commanders Course, Military Information Course, Mechanized Course and Engineer Course among others. The Centre also has more than 30 instructors.

Maj. Gen. Mohammedesha was accompanied by Sector 1 Commander Brig. Gen. Sam Okiding, AMISOM Force Headquarters Chief of Operations, Col. Mutacho Othieno, Chief Military Information Officer Col. Bakhwezi Caesar, and Chief Training Officer Lt. Col. Ali Abdul Nufu among others.

Part of AMISOM’s key mandate is to provide technical support and the enhancement of the capacity of Somalia State institutions, particularly the National Defence, Public Safety and Public Service Institutions.

The courses offered at the Centre include Recruit Training, Refresher courses, Specialized Training, Lower Command Training, Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO), Platoon Commanders Courses (PCC) and Battalion refresher Courses. AMISOM also conducts its own short In-Theatre training programs at the Centre.

The Jazeera Training Centre was established in Mogadishu to provide basic training of the SNA and build its human resource capacity to enable the Somali army take over security duties when AMISOM draws down. The Centre also mentors SNA instructors.