Zambian peacekeepers serving with the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) celebrated their nation’s sixtieth Independence Day with a vibrant ceremony in Mogadishu on Thursday.
Previously Northern Rhodesia, Zambia gained independence from Britain on October 24, 1964.
The celebrations themed ‘Honouring our Heritage, Embracing our Future’ was attended by senior ATMIS officers, together with the Deputy Particular Consultant of the Chairperson of the African Union Fee (DSRCC) for Somalia, Sivuyile Thandikhaya Bam, Power Commander Lt. Gen. Sam Kavuma, Deputy Power Commander in control of Operations and Plans, Maj. Gen. Marius Ngendabanka, Deputy Power Commander in control of Help and Logistics Maj. Gen. Peter Muteti, and Deputy Police Commissioner (CP) Martin Amoru, amongst others.
The DSRCC recommended Zambia for its achievements and vital contributions to peace and safety throughout Africa.
“I wish to commend the Authorities and other people of Zambia for the progress made in sustaining peace as a nation and fostering solidarity amongst many different African nations of their quest for political and socio-economic independence,” mentioned Mr. Bam, who presided over the occasion on the ATMIS Power Headquarters.
He praised Zambia’s dedication to making sure peace and stability in Somalia via the deployment of Particular person Police Officers, navy workers officers, and a number of other civilian personnel.
“The gallant Zambian women and men in uniform and civilian workers proceed to reveal distinctive dedication, professionalism, sacrifice and management, as evidenced by the appointment of the first-ever AMISOM Police Commissioner in 2008 and plenty of others within the mission,” added Bam.
Zambia Particular person Police Officers practice, mentor and advise the Somali Police Power (SPF), whereas the navy workers present assist to safety operations in ATMIS Space of Duty (AOR).
ATMIS Power Commander, Lt. Gen. Kavuma, congratulated Zambia for its key contributions within the liberation of different African nations, notably Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
“Zambia’s Independence Day means so much to us as Africans as they contributed immensely to serving to different nations acquire independence by offering sanctuary, monetary, materials and ethical assist to many freedom fighters,” mentioned Lt. Gen. Kavuma.
ATMIS Chief CIMIC Officer, who doubles because the Head of the Zambian Neighborhood in Somalia, Col. Lutangu Sitali, mirrored on the importance of Zambia’s historical past and independence battle to the liberty motion in Africa.
“It additionally helps us to recollect the courageous women and men who sacrificed their lives for Zambia’s independence, granting freedom to this technology and people to come back,” mentioned Col. Sitali.
Others current on the occasion included officers from ATMIS, the United Nations, worldwide companions and the Zambian neighborhood in Somalia.
