AU Mission Resumes Following a 3-Month Hiatus

 

The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) has recommenced the crucial process of shifting security duties to the country’s government forces, signifying a noteworthy advancement following a hiatus that lasted three months. The recent transfer encompassed key sites such as Villa Somalia, housing President Mohammed Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and the nearby parliament building, effectively handed over to the competent Somali forces.

Since 2007, African Union (AU) forces, working in conjunction with Somali counterparts, have been safeguarding vital locations within the nation’s capital. This recent stage of the drawdown marks a significant juncture as Somali forces take control of the central seats of the government’s legislative and executive branches.

In a recent interview, Mohamed El-Amine Souef, the AU’s Somalia representative and the current leader of ATMIS, verified the drawdown has resumed. He underscored the importance of transferring authority over the State House and the parliament, viewing it as a significant accomplishment and a favorable indication of the Federal Government of Somalia's preparedness to assume security duties.

Mr. Souef delineated the mission's strategy to remove 3,000 soldiers by December 31, transferring responsibilities for ten bases during this drawdown phase. This initiative reflects a coordinated endeavor to gradually return security control to Somali authorities.

Hussein Sheikh-Ali, the President of Somalia's national security adviser, affirmed the handover of the State House to the Somali army and police. He conveyed appreciation to the Ugandan forces for safeguarding the facility for the past 16 years, underscoring their crucial role in upholding security.

This progression comes after the completion of the initial phase of the AU drawdown in June, where 2,000 troops departed Somalia. However, in September, the Somali government sought a 90-day "technical pause" in the drawdown, citing military setbacks from the offensive against al-Shabab militants.

The endorsed security sector development plan, established in a New York meeting, sets ambitious objectives for Somalia, encompassing the creation of land forces reaching 30,000, a 40,000-strong police force, and 8,500 members in the custodial corps for the prison system. Hussein Sheikh-Ali stressed that although the required numbers have been achieved, comprehensive reform is crucial to guarantee both quantity and quality. This reform aims to establish a proficient army capable of taking over responsibilities from ATMIS.

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