The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) said Sunday it has opened joint operations centres (JOCs) to enhance coordination and planning with Somali security forces (SSF) during operations against al-Shabaab.
ATMIS Force Commander Diomede Ndegeya said the centres, which were opened across the AU mission’s areas of responsibility, will enable the allied forces to work together.
“Joint operations centres will be functional in all sectors to coordinate operations and I urge all sector commanders to ensure that they are fully effective in their areas of operations in the regions,” Ndegeya said in a statement issued in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.
He said ATMIS personnel, Somali security forces, and partners will coordinate, and plan operations at the centres as contained in the ATMIS Concept Of Operations (CONOPs).
The CONOPs provides a framework to guide the implementation of the gradual transfer of security responsibilities to the Somali security forces and the eventual exit of AU troops from Somalia.
Ndegeya said the JOC at the ATMIS force headquarters will coordinate with the sector headquarters, ATMIS Police, mission headquarters, Somali security forces, and other security agencies to provide updates regarding al-Shabaab threats and progress on operations.
