Somalia mourns death of Lion of Mogadishu

The ex-president of Somalia, Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, offers condolences to Maj Gen Paul Lokech, the Lion of Mogadishu, who died on Saturday morning at his residence.

Maj Gen Paul Lokech’s commandeering in the AMISOM operations against the Al-Shabab benefited Sharif Ahmed, who led Somalia until 2012.

In a condolence message to President Museveni, the former president referred to Maj Gen Lokech as a “great friend of Somalia” and the “Lion of Mogadishu.”

“The Lion of Mogadishu was instrumental in the defeat of Al-Shabab. “He will not be forgotten,” read part of the message.
Abdi Hassan Mohamed Hijar, the Somalia Chief Police Commissioner, also grieved Lokech, sending sorrow messages to the IGP of Police and the “People of Uganda.”

AMISOM was particularly grieved by the death of Maj Gen Paul Lokech, the commander of their sector one.

“We all remember him as a man of tremendous character, great courage, integrity, and honor during his distinguished tours of duty. He was a courageous and strategic fighter who played a key role in commanding the counter-insurgency operations that pushed Al-Shabab out of Mogadishu in October 2011,” according to an AMISOM statement.

The statement continues, “As a towering symbol in the war against armed militants, he leaves an enduring legacy that will never be forgotten.”

Maj Gen LOkech was described as a “wonderful man” by the CEO of Somalia TV, Abdulrazak.

From May 2011 to 2012, and again from December 2017 to December 2018, Maj Gen Lokech served as Uganda’s AMISOM contingent commander.