Somali national stadium returns to its original use as AMISOM hands over

A few days ago, The African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia (AMISOM) officially handed over the country’s national stadium to the government, which they’ve occupied since 2011. The stadium in Mogadishu was captured from jihadist group Al Shabaab by AMISOM and the Somali Army during an operation to liberate the city in September 2011. Prior to AMISOM control, the stadium was a base for Al-Shabaab, which was designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the United States in 2008.

The site was used for many of the group’s terror activities including public executions. All sporting activities were also banned by the hardline Islamic militants.

AMISOM and Somali officials held a handover ceremony on Tuesday, touring the war-torn stadium and inviting the nation’s youth to come and play. Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo also attended the ceremony and lauded the handover as a sign of the country’s long reconstruction efforts. The festivities included a marching band with dozens of young Somalis, many with soccer balls in hand attending.

Adedayo Laketu

Adedayo Laketu is a creative inventor who's interested in curating a New Age for Africa across all mediums.
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