MOGADISHU (Halbeeg News) – The first batch of African Union Mission In Somalia (AMISOM) troops have vacated Mogadishu Stadium which is the biggest sporting facility in the county, the mission confirmed.
The continental forces have been occupying the stadium since 2011 when Alshabaab militants were pushed out of the city.
Head of AMISOM mission, Mr. Francisco Madeira said he pleased that the premises will be handed over to the Somali government.
“One of the first deliverables on AMISOM’s Transition Plan is to vacate the Mogadishu Stadium. I have been briefed by #AMISOM Engineer, Andrew Alele, on the progress made,” Mr. Madeira said in a Twitter post, “I am very encouraged to hear that we are ahead of schedule to return the stadium to the people of #Somalia.”
One of the first deliverables on AMISOM's Transition Plan is to vacate the Mogadishu Stadium. I have been briefed by #AMISOM Engineer, Andrew Alele, on the progress made. I am very encouraged to hear that we are ahead of schedule to return the stadium to the people of #Somalia. pic.twitter.com/J8MQqdTsnS
— Ambassador Madeira (@AmbFMadeira) August 15, 2018
The development comes less than a month after Somali Prime Minister Hassan Ali Kheire called on AU troops to vacate Mogadishu Stadium which is the biggest sporting facility in the county.
Somali Sports Bodies have severally called on AMISOM to vacate from the football facility which had been paralysed since 1991 when the Somali central collapsed.
The various groups fighting in the country’s civil war have always occupied the stadium.
After the fall of the government led by late Mohamed Siyad Barre 1990, Mogadishu Stadium was occupied by US peace-keepers.
More than a decade after US troops withdrew from Somalia, Ethiopian forces took over the facility and had been occupying it till 2009.
The stadium was subsequently occupied Alshabaab which used it for training base before the group was forced out of the capital.
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