Troops serving under the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) are undergoing a two-week training course at Force Headquarters in Mogadishu to strengthen their knowledge and capabilities in psychological and integrated influence operations.

The training is part of a knowledge-exchange initiative aimed at enhancing the capacity of AUSSOM personnel and partners to sustain influence operations, while mentoring and coaching partners to counter Al-Shabaab propaganda and hostile narratives in Somalia.

Opening the course, the Sector One Commander, Brig Gen Jackson Kayanja, urged officers and troops across all AUSSOM sectors to actively participate and contribute to developing a shared understanding and capability in psychological and integrated influence operations.

Brig Gen Kayanja noted that influence operations should go beyond actions on the ground to address information, perceptions and narratives, as well as the ability to influence human behaviour in support of mission objectives.

The Chief Military Officer at Force Headquarters, Lt Col Patrick Amaru, said the training is intended to strengthen teamwork and working relationships among AUSSOM personnel from different sectors and specialties.

The course brings together personnel from the military and police components of AUSSOM, drawn from various sectors and professional backgrounds.

It is being facilitated by instructors from the United States Joint Special Operations Task Force (JSOTF) as part of efforts to promote knowledge exchange and strengthen AUSSOM’s capacity in psychological and integrated influence operations.