...a union consisting of 53 African states, most run by dictators of one flavor or another. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. Established in 2002, the AU is the successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), which was even less successful...
Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) troops have stepped up joint patrols to clear improvised bombs (IEDs) and open main supply routes to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid
to the populations.The African Union (AU) mission said on Friday that the joint operations by the Burundian troops serving under ATMIS and the Somali security forces have dismantled al-Shabaab
...... the Islamic version of the old Somali warlord...strongholds and illegal checkpoints in central and southern Somalia.
"ATMIS Burundi troops have successfully conducted a reconnaissance patrol along the main supply route connecting Jowhar Air Field to Jowhar town. The operation was to ensure safe movement of goods and services on the busy road," ATMIS said in a statement issued in the Somali capital of Mogadishu.
"The joint force dismantled illegal checkpoints set up by the (al-Shabaab)
The allied forces have also conducted a security patrol to secure the main supply route in Bulo Marer, a town in the southwestern Lower Shabelle region of Somalia, to ensure the free movement of goods and services.
The joint troops have been opening main supply routes blocked by al-Shabaab hard boyz and creating a free and secure environment for the Somali people to thrive.
Aid agencies have said the poor state of main supply routes in south-central and southern Somalia provided conditions for al-Shabaab to continue laying ambushes and use bombs against ATMIS convoys and Somali security forces.