Somalia II

Brothers in Arms, October 2011

The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) is a regional peacekeeping mission set up by African Union, and supported by the United Nations. The first batch of peacekeepers deployed on 6th March, 2007 and currently 9,000 peacekeepers from Uganda and Burundi , are operating in Mogadishu.

The principal aim of AMISOM is to provide support for Somalia’s Transitory Federal Institutions (TFI’s) in their stabilization efforts and in the pursuit of political dialogue and of reconciliation. AMISOM is also mandated to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid and to create the necessary conditions for reconciliation and sustainable development in Somalia.

This selection of photographs were taken after four trips where Kate spent time embedded with soldiers from AMISOM. They went on exhibit in the National Museum of Nairobi in October, 2011.

  • AMISOM soldiers man positions in a house in the Sigaale District of Mogadishu. Kate Holt.
  • A soldier from Burundi rests on his bed in a bunker on the frontline while his colleague mans a gun position. Kate Holt.
  • An empty road leading to the frontline in Mogadishu. Buildings along the route have been abandoned. Kate Holt.
  • Women and children stand in a street that has recently been seized by AMISOM troops. Kate Holt.
  • Burundian soldiers provide fire support from a rooftop position at the old Military Academy, in Mogadishu, Somalia. Kate Holt.
  • Burundian soldiers provide fire support from a rooftop position at the old Military Academy, in Mogadishu, Somalia. Kate Holt.
  • Women wait with their children to see a doctor in the AMISOM Out Patients Department. Kate Holt.
  • A mother watches her child in the emergency medical centre in the Burundi Contingent Headquarters. Kate Holt.
  • AMISOM soldiers on patrol in the Sigaale District of Mogadishu. Kate Holt.
  • AMISOM soldiers advance through ruined buildings in the Sigaale District of Mogadishu. Kate Holt.
  • An AMISOM soldier keeps watch over the Old Seaport from a position in the derelict Aruba Hotel in Mogadishu. Kate Holt.
  • Ugandan Marines launch their boat in the sea near Mogadishu Airport. Kate Holt.
  • A child is treated for malnutrition at the medical centre established for the treatment of civilians. Kate Holt.
  • An AMISOM soldier walks past stacked grains sacks in a warehouse at the Seaport in Mogadishu. Kate Holt.
  • Burundian soldiers provide fire support from a rooftop position at the old Military Academy, in Mogadishu, Somalia. Kate Holt.
  • An AMISOM soldier reloads a machinegun belt on a rooftop during a firefight near the old Military Academy in Mogadishu. Kate Holt.
  • A Burundian peace-keeper, injured in gun battle between African Union Soldiers and al-Shabaab insurgents. Kate Holt.
  • A Ugandan doctor working for AMISOM administers drugs in a temporary clinic. Kate Holt.
  • Orange plastic shelters, used as temporary accommodation by displaced people. Kate Holt.
  • Families queue for food at a feeding point in Badbado camp. Kate Holt.
  • Women and children collect water provided by Ugandan troops. Kate Holt.
  • AMISOM soldiers stand next to their armored vehicles before heading out on patrol through the streets of Mogadishu. Kate Holt.
  • Soldiers hold a discussion in front of the Aruba Hotel. Kate Holt.
  • The then AMISOM Force Commander, Major General Nathan Mugisha is shown changes to the frontline. Kate Holt.