Brig. Dickson Rutto, the KDF AMISOM Commander handed over his office to Brig. Paul Njema. The change of guard comes at a time of upheaval in the region. Jubaland State has been the scene of an ongoing standoff that has complicated the AU Mission in Somalia.
Brig. Rutto has been leading the 8th KDF Contingent. He now leaves the responsibility to Brig. Njema. The handover is not a strange or isolated incident. Instead, the handing over of office adheres to the rotational policy that KDF and AMISOM have put in place.
In January 2020, more than 3,000 KDF soldiers serving as part of the 8th Contingent left the country to return to Kenya. AMISOM reports that the 9 Contingent will continue where they left off in the fragile Horn of Africa nation.
While serving under AMISOM, soldiers from KDF are responsible over Jubaland State’s Sector II and Sector Six. The areas under their protection have been the subject of multiple attacks by Al-Shabaab.
Brig. Rutto’s handing over took place in Dhobley Town, which AMISOM Sector II uses as its headquarters in Jubaland State. During the ceremony, the two commanders expressed confidence in AMISOM’s ability to ensure Somalia remains safe and stable.