MOGADISHU, Somalia, 7 Sept. 2026: The Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF) contingent serving under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) has completed a troop rotation in Sector 4, with personnel in Beletweyne and Halgan returning home after completing their three-year tour of duty.
The rotation ensures continuity of AUSSOM operations in Sector 4 and supports the mission’s mandate to strengthen Somali-led security and stabilisation efforts. 
Newly deployed ENDF personnel have taken over from troops who completed their deployment, following a handover ceremony held in Beletweyne yesterday.
Some of the incoming troops were airlifted to Halgan Forward Operating Base, where they will be based as they assume responsibilities from the departing personnel.
Sector 4 Commander Col. Abdourahman Rayale and Deputy Sector Commander and ENDF Contingent Commander Col. Wundimu Mamomssa attended the ceremony to bid farewell to the outgoing troops and welcome the incoming personnel.
Col. Rayale commended the departing troops for their professionalism and dedicated service, while welcoming the incoming contingent and urging them to continue supporting security and stabilisation efforts in the sector.
For the departing personnel, the rotation marked the end of a three-year deployment in Somalia, the longest deployment undertaken by the ENDF contingent under AUSSOM.
As the troops return home, their incoming colleagues will continue working alongside Somali security forces to support security and stabilisation efforts across Sector 4.
